Data processing system including memory systems coupled through internal channel

ABSTRACT

A data processing system includes: a first memory system coupled to a host through a first external channel, a second memory system coupled to the host through a second external channel, and an internal channel suitable for coupling the first and second memory systems with each other, the host, when read-requesting first and second data to the first memory system, transfers a first external channel control information for selecting sole use of the first external channel or simultaneous use of the first and second external channels, to the first and second memory systems, the first memory system, when the first external channel control information indicates simultaneous use, the first memory system outputs the first data through the first external channel and outputs the second data through the internal channel, and the second memory system outputs the second data inputted through the internal channel, through the second external channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2018-0114073 filed on Sep. 21, 2018, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Various embodiments relate to a data processing system and, moreparticularly, to a data processing system including a plurality ofmemory systems.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

The computer environment paradigm has changed to ubiquitous computingsystems that can be used anytime and anywhere. As a result, use ofportable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, andnotebook computers has rapidly increased. These portable electronicdevices generally use a memory system having one or more memory devicesfor storing data. A memory system may be used as a main or an auxiliarystorage device of a portable electronic device.

Memory systems provide excellent stability, durability, high informationaccess speed, and low power consumption because they have no movingparts. Examples of memory systems having such advantages includeuniversal serial bus (USB) memory devices, memory cards having variousinterfaces, and solid state drives (SSD).

SUMMARY

Various embodiments are directed to a data processing system capable ofeffectively transferring data between a plurality of memory systems anda host.

In an embodiment, a data processing system may include: a first memorysystem including a first nonvolatile memory device and coupled to a hostthrough a first external channel; a second memory system including asecond nonvolatile memory device and coupled to the host through asecond external channel; and an internal channel suitable for couplingthe first and second memory systems with each other. The host, whenread-requesting first and second data to the first memory system, maytransfer a first external channel control information for selecting soleuse of the first external channel or simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels, to the first and second memory systems. Thefirst memory system, when the first external channel control informationindicates simultaneous use, may output the first data to the hostthrough the first external channel and may output the second data to thesecond memory system through the internal channel. The second memorysystem, when the first external channel control information indicatessimultaneous use, may output the second data inputted from the firstmemory system through the internal channel, to the host through thesecond external channel.

The first memory system, when the first external channel controlinformation indicates simultaneous use, may read the second data fromthe first nonvolatile memory device to a first internal bus at a firsttime and may output the second data loaded in the first internal bus, tothe second memory system through the internal channel, and may read thefirst data to the first internal bus at a second time subsequent to thefirst time and may output the first data loaded in the first internalbus, to the host through the first external channel, and when the firstexternal channel control information indicates simultaneous use, mayread the first data from the first nonvolatile memory device to thefirst internal bus at the first time and may output the first dataloaded in the first internal bus, to the host through the first externalchannel, and may read the second data to the first internal bus at thesecond time and may output the second data loaded in the first internalbus, to the host through the first external channel.

The second memory system, when the first external channel controlinformation indicates sole use at a third time earlier than the firsttime or later than the second time, may read third data from the secondnonvolatile memory device to a second internal bus and may output thethird data to the host through the second external channel, and when thefirst external channel control information indicates simultaneous use,may receive the second data inputted through the internal channel at thefirst time, to the second internal bus, and may output the second datato the host through the second external channel.

The first memory system, when the first external channel controlinformation indicates sole use, may open the first internal bus and theinternal channel.

The host, when a read or write request to the second memory system isnot scheduled for at least a preset time from a time whenread-requesting the first and second data to the first memory system,may transfer the first external channel control information forselecting simultaneous use of the first and second external channels, tothe first and second memory systems.

The host, when read-requesting fourth and fifth data to the secondmemory system, may transfer a second external channel controlinformation for selecting sole use of the second external channel orsimultaneous use of the first and second external channels, to the firstand second memory systems, the second memory system, when the secondexternal channel control information indicates a simultaneous use, mayoutput the fourth data to the host through the second external channel,and may output the fifth data to the first memory system through theinternal channel, and the first memory system, when the second externalchannel control information indicates simultaneous use, may output thefifth data inputted from the second memory system through the internalchannel, to the host through the first external channel.

The second memory system, when the second external channel controlinformation indicates simultaneous use, may read the fifth data from thesecond nonvolatile memory device to the second internal bus at a fourthtime and may output the fifth data loaded in the second internal bus, tothe first memory system through the internal channel, and may read thefourth data at a fifth time subsequent to the fourth time and may outputthe fourth data loaded in the second internal bus, to the host throughthe second external channel, when the second external channel controlinformation indicates sole use, may read the fourth data from the secondnonvolatile memory device to the second internal bus at the fourth timeand may output the fourth data loaded in the second internal bus, to thehost through the second external channel, and may read the fifth data tothe second internal bus at the fifth time and may output the fifth dataloaded in the second internal bus, to the host through the secondexternal channel; and the first and second times and the fourth andfifth times may do not overlap with each other.

The first memory system, when the second external channel controlinformation indicates sole use at a sixth time earlier than the fourthtime or later than the fifth time, may read sixth data from the firstnonvolatile memory device to the first internal bus and may output thesixth data to the host through the first external channel, when thesecond external channel control information indicates simultaneous use,may receive the fifth data inputted through the internal channel at thefourth time, to the first internal bus, and may output the fifth data tothe host through the first external channel, and the first to thirdtimes and the fourth to sixth times may do not overlap with each other.

The first memory system, when the first external channel controlinformation indicates sole use, may open transfer of data from the firstinternal bus to the internal channel, and may close transfer of datafrom the internal channel to the first internal bus, and the secondmemory system, when the second external channel control informationindicates sole use, may open transfer of data from the second internalbus to the internal channel, and may close transfer of data from theinternal channel to the second internal bus.

The host, when a read or write request to the second memory system isnot scheduled for at least a preset time from a time whenread-requesting the first and second data to the first memory system,may transfer the first external channel control information forselecting simultaneous use of the first and second external channels, tothe first and second memory systems, and when a read or write request tothe first memory system is not scheduled for at least the preset timefrom a time when read-requesting the fourth and fifth data to the secondmemory system, may transfer the second external channel controlinformation for selecting simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels, to the first and second memory systems.

In an embodiment, a data processing system may include: a first memorysystem including a first nonvolatile memory device and coupled to a hostthrough a first external channel; a second memory system including asecond nonvolatile memory device and coupled to the host through asecond external channel; and an internal channel suitable for couplingthe first and second memory systems with each other. The first memorysystem, when receiving read requests for first and second data from thehost, may output the first data to the host through the first externalchannel and may output the second data to the second memory systemthrough the internal channel, in a first simultaneous transfer mode thatis entered by the host, and may output the first and second data to thehost through the first external channel in a first sole transfer modethat is entered by the host. The second memory system, in the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, may output the second data inputted from thefirst memory system through the internal channel, to the host throughthe second external channel.

The first memory system,when the first simultaneous transfer mode isentered, according to read requests from the host, may read the seconddata from the first nonvolatile memory device to a first internal bus ata first time and may output the second data loaded in the first internalbus, to the second memory system through the internal channel, and mayread the first data to the first internal bus at a second timesubsequent to the first time and may output the first data loaded in thefirst internal bus, to the host through the first external channel, andwhen the first sole transfer mode is entered, according to read requestsfrom the host, may read the first data from the first nonvolatile memorydevice to the first internal bus at the first time and may output thefirst data loaded in the first internal bus, to the host through thefirst external channel, and may read the second data to the firstinternal bus at the second time and may output the second data loaded inthe first internal bus, to the host through the first external channel.

The second memory system, when the first sole transfer mode is entered,at a third time earlier than the first time or later than the secondtime, according to a read request from the host, may read third datafrom the second nonvolatile memory device to a second internal bus andmay output the third data to the host through the second externalchannel, and when the first simultaneous transfer mode is entered, mayreceive the second data inputted through the internal channel at thefirst time, to the second internal bus, and may output the second datato the host through the second external channel.

The first memory system, in the first sole transfer mode, may open thefirst internal bus and the internal channel.

The host, when a read or write request to the second memory system isnot scheduled for at least a preset time from a time whenread-requesting the first and second data to the first memory system,may enter the first simultaneous transfer mode.

The second memory system, when receiving read requests for fourth andfifth data from the host, may output the fourth data to the host throughthe second external channel and may output the fifth data to the firstmemory system through the internal channel, in a second simultaneoustransfer mode that is entered by the host, and may output the fourth andfifth data to the host through the second external channel in a secondsole transfer mode that is entered by the host, and the first memorysystem, in the second simultaneous transfer mode, may output the fifthdata inputted from the second memory system through the internalchannel, to the host through the first external channel.

The second memory system, when the second simultaneous transfer mode isentered, according to read requests from the host, may read the fifthdata from the second nonvolatile memory device to the second internalbus at a fourth time and may output the fifth data loaded in the secondinternal bus, to the first memory system through the internal channel,and may read the fourth data at a fifth time subsequent to the fourthtime and may output the fourth data loaded in the second internal bus,to the host through the second external channel, when the second soletransfer mode is entered, according to read requests from the host, mayread the fourth data from the second nonvolatile memory device to thesecond internal bus at the fourth time and may output the fourth dataloaded in the second internal bus, to the host through the secondexternal channel, and may read the fifth data to the second internal busat the fifth time and may output the fifth data loaded in the secondinternal bus, to the host through the second external channel, and thefirst and second times and the fourth and fifth times may do not overlapwith each other.

The first memory system, when the second sole transfer mode is entered,at a sixth time earlier than the fourth time or later than the fifthtime, according to a read request from the host, may read sixth datafrom the first nonvolatile memory device to the first internal bus andmay output the sixth data to the host through the first externalchannel, when the second simultaneous transfer mode is entered, mayreceive the fifth data inputted through the internal channel at thefourth time, to the first internal bus, and may output the fifth data tothe host through the first external channel, and the first to thirdtimes and the fourth to sixth times may do not overlap with each other.

The first memory system, in the first sole transfer mode, may opentransfer of data from the first internal bus to the internal channel,and may close transfer of data from the internal channel to the firstinternal bus, and the second memory system, in the second sole transfermode, may open transfer of data from the second internal bus to theinternal channel, and may close transfer of data from the internalchannel to the second internal bus.

The host, when a read or write request to the second memory system isnot scheduled for at least a preset time from a time whenread-requesting the first and second data to the first memory system,may enter the first simultaneous transfer mode, and when a read or writerequest to the first memory system is not scheduled for at least thepreset time from a time when read-requesting the fourth and fifth datato the second memory system, may enter the second simultaneous transfermode.

In an embodiment, a data processing may include: a first controllercoupled to a host through a first external channel; a memory device; anda second controller coupled to the host through a second externalchannel, coupled to the first controller through an internal channel,and configured to: may control the memory device to read first andsecond data in response to first and second successive read requestsfrom the host; and may provide the second data to the host through thesecond external channel while providing the first data to the firstcontroller through the internal channel, the first controller may beconfigured to transfer the first data to the host through the firstexternal channel.

The present technology includes external channels to couple a pluralityof memory systems with a host. Also, the present technology furtherincludes an internal channel for the plurality of memory systems totransfer data to each other.

Due to this fact, when read operations requested from the host areintensive on a specific memory system among the plurality of memorysystems, data read from the specific memory system may be shared with aremaining memory system except the specific memory system among theplurality of memory systems through the internal channel. Through this,data read from the specific memory system may be outputted to the hostby using not only the external channel of the specific memory system butalso the external channel of the remaining memory system.

As a consequence, even in the case where read requests of the host areintensive on a specific memory system, it is possible to effectivelyprovide read data to the host.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B are diagrams of a data processing system including aplurality of memory systems in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams of examples of operations of the dataprocessing system including a plurality of memory systems in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an operation of the data processing systemincluding a plurality of memory systems in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A to 5H are diagrams of examples of operations of the dataprocessing system including a plurality of memory systems in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts of an operation of the data processingsystem including a plurality of memory systems in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described below in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may,however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled inthe art. Throughout the disclosure, like reference numerals refer tolike parts throughout the various figures and embodiments of the presentinvention.

It is noted that reference to “an embodiment,” “another embodiment” orthe like does not necessarily mean only one embodiment, and differentreferences to any such phrase are not necessarily to the sameembodiment(s).

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”,“third”, and so on may be used herein to describe various elements,these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used todistinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first elementdescribed below could also be termed as a second or third elementwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be further understood that when an element is referred to asbeing “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it may bedirectly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element, or one ormore intervening elements may be present. In addition, it will also beunderstood that when an element is referred to as being “between” twoelements, it may be the only element between the two elements, or one ormore intervening elements may also be present. Communication between twoelements, whether directly or indirectly connected/coupled, may be wiredor wireless, unless stated or the context indicates otherwise.

As used herein, singular forms may include the plural forms as well andvice versa, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The articles‘a’ and ‘an’ as used in this application and the appended claims shouldgenerally be construed to mean ‘one or more’ unless specified otherwiseor clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” and “including” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of the stated elements and do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other elements. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B are diagrams of a data processing system including aplurality of memory systems A20 and A30 in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the data processing system in accordance with theembodiment of the present disclosure includes a host A10 and first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30. Although FIG. shows two memorysystems A20 and A30, the number of memory systems is not limited to sucha number and may vary depending on an embodiment.

The host A10 transmits a plurality of requests to the memory systems A20and A30, and accordingly, the memory systems A20 and A30 performoperations corresponding to the requests.

The memory systems A20 and A30 operate in response to a request of thehost A10, for example, store data. In other words, each of the memorysystems A20 and A30 may be used as a main memory device and an auxiliarymemory device of the host A10. Each of the memory systems A20 and A30may be realized by any one of various kinds of storage devices,depending on a host interface protocol which is coupled with the hostA10. For example, each of the memory systems A20 and A30 may be realizedby any one of various kinds of storage devices such as a solid statedrive (SSD), a multimedia card in the form of an MMC, an eMMC (embeddedMMC), an RS-MMC (reduced size MMC) and a micro-MMC, a secure digitalcard in the form of an SD, a mini-SD and a micro-SD, a universal serialbus (USB) storage device, a universal flash storage (UFS) device, acompact flash (CF) card, a smart media card, a memory stick, and soforth.

Each of the memory systems A20 and A30 may be integrated into onesemiconductor device and may configure a memory card. For instance, eachof the memory systems A20 and A30 may configure a memory card such as aPersonal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card, acompact flash (CF) card, a smart media card in the form of an SM and anSMC, a memory stick, a multimedia card in the form of an MMC, an RS-MMCand a micro-MMC, a secure digital card in the form of an SD, a mini-SD,a micro-SD and an SDHC, and a universal flash storage (UFS) device.

For another instance, each of the memory systems A20 and A30 mayconfigure a computer, an ultra mobile PC (UMPC), a workstation, anet-book, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a webtablet, a tablet computer, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, a smartphone, an e-book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a portable gameplayer, a navigation device, a black box, a digital camera, a digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB) player, a 3-dimensional television, asmart television, a digital audio recorder, a digital audio player, adigital picture recorder, a digital picture player, a digital videorecorder, a digital video player, a storage configuring a data center, adevice capable of transmitting and receiving information under awireless environment, one of various electronic devices configuring ahome network, one of various electronic devices configuring a computernetwork, one of various electronic devices configuring a telematicsnetwork, an RFID (radio frequency identification) device, or one ofvarious component elements configuring a computing system.

Each of the memory systems A20 and A30 may include a storage device suchas a volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory(DRAM) and a static random access memory (SRAM) or a nonvolatile memorydevice such as a read only memory (ROM), a mask ROM (MROM), aprogrammable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), anelectrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), an ferroelectricrandom access memory (FRAM), a phase change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM(MRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM) and a flash memory.

The first memory system A20 is coupled to the host A10 through a firstexternal channel CH1. The first memory system A20 includes a firstnonvolatile memory device A21 for storing data transferred from the hostA10.

The second memory system A30 is coupled to the host A10 through a secondexternal channel CH2. The second memory system A30 includes a secondnonvolatile memory device A31 for storing data transferred from the hostA10.

It is to be noted that the number of external channels may varydepending on the number of memory systems in the data processing system.

The first memory system A20 and the second memory system A30 are coupledwith each other through an internal channel CH_INT. That is, the firstmemory system A20 and the second memory system A30 may transfer data toeach other through the internal channel CH_INT.

Since the first memory system A20 and the second memory system A30 maybe coupled with each other through the internal channel CH_INT and mayexchange data with each other, the host A10, the first memory system A20and the second memory system A30 may perform the following operations.

First, when intensively read-requesting a plurality of data (not shown)to only one among the first and second memory systems A20 and A30, thehost A10 may select whether to solely use only the first externalchannel CH1 or simultaneously use the first external channel CH1 and thesecond external channel CH2.

For example, when read-requesting first and second data (not shown)stored in the first memory system A20, the host A10 may select whetherto solely use only the first external channel CH1 for coupling the firstmemory system A20 and the host MO or simultaneously use the firstexternal channel CH1 and the second external channel CH2 for couplingthe second memory system A30 and the host A10.

Similarly, when read-requesting fourth and fifth data (not shown) storedin the second memory system A30, the host A10 may select whether tosolely use only the second external channel CH2 for coupling the secondmemory system A30 and the host A10 or simultaneously use the secondexternal channel CH2 and the first external channel CH1 for coupling thefirst memory system A20 and the host A10.

As a first scheme for the selection, when successively read-requestingfirst and second data to the first memory system A20 or the secondmemory system A30, the host A10 may provide a channel controlinformation to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30 to selectthe sole use of the first external channel CH1 or the second externalchannel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2.

For example, when successively read-requesting first and second data(not shown) to the first memory system A20, the host A10 may provide thefirst and second memory systems A20 and A30 with a first externalchannel control information CH_INFO1 (not shown) for selecting the soleuse of the first external channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of thefirst and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

Also, when successively read-requesting fourth and fifth data (notshown) to the second memory system A30, the host A10 may provide thefirst and second memory systems A20 and A30 with a second externalchannel control information CH_INFO2 (not shown) for selecting the soleuse of the second external channel CH2 or the simultaneous use of thefirst and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

The respective first and second memory systems A20 and A30 may be awarewhether the host A10 has selected to simultaneously use the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 or has selected to use only thefirst external channel CH1 or the second external channel CH2 accordingto the first external channel control information CH_INFO1 and thesecond external channel control information CH_INFO2.

In detail, in the case where the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 is selected according to the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1, the first memory systemA20 outputs any of the first and second data read-requested from thehost A10, for example, the first data, to the host A10 through the firstexternal channel CH1, and outputs the remaining data, for example, thesecond data, to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT.

Accordingly, in the case where the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 is selected according to the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1, the second memory systemA30 transfers the data (e.g., the second data) from the first memorysystem A20 to the host A10 through the internal channel CH_INT and thesecond external channel CH2.

Conversely, in the case where the sole use of the first external channelCH1 is selected according to the first external channel controlinformation CH_INFO1, the first memory system A20 outputs any of thefirst and second data read-requested from the host A10, for example, thefirst data, to the host A10 through the first external channel CH1, andthen, outputs the remaining data, for example, the second data, to thehost A10 through the first external channel CH1.

Further, in the case where the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2 is selected according to the secondexternal channel control information CH_INFO2, the second memory systemA30 outputs any of the fourth and fifth data read-requested from thehost A10, for example, the fourth data, to the host A10 through thesecond external channel CH2, and outputs the remaining data, forexample, the fifth data, to the first memory system A20 through theinternal channel CH_INT.

Accordingly, in the case where the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 is selected according to the secondexternal channel control information CH_INFO2, the first memory systemA20 transfers the data (e.g., the fifth data) from the second memorysystem A30 to the host A10 through the internal channel CH_INT and thefirst external channel CH1.

Conversely, in the case where the sole use of the second externalchannel CH2 is selected according to the second external channel controlinformation CH_INFO2, the second memory system A30 outputs any of thefourth and fifth data read-requested from the host A10, for example, thefourth data, to the host A10 through the second external channel CH2,and then, outputs the remaining data, for example, the fifth data, tothe host A10 through the second external channel CH2.

In the case where a read or write request to the second memory systemA30 is not scheduled for a preset time or longer from a time of a readrequest to the first memory system A20, the host A10 provides the firstand second memory systems A20 and A30 with the first external channelcontrol information CH_INFO1 for selecting the simultaneous use of thefirst and second external channels CH1 and CH2 for the read request tothe first memory system A20.

Also, in the case where a read or write request to the first memorysystem A20 is not scheduled for a preset time or longer from a time of aread request to the second memory system A30, the host A10 provides thefirst and second memory systems A20 and A30 with the second externalchannel control information CH_INFO2 for selecting the simultaneous useof the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2 for the readrequest to the second memory system A30.

Conversely, in the case where a read or write request to the secondmemory system A30 is scheduled within the preset time from a time of aread request to the first memory system A20, the host A10 provides thefirst and second memory systems A20 and A30 with the first externalchannel control information CH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of thefirst external channel CH1 for the read request to the first memorysystem A20.

Also, in the case where a read or write request to the first memorysystem A20 is not scheduled within the preset time from a time of a readrequest to the second memory system A30, the host A10 provides the firstand second memory systems A20 and A30 with the second external channelcontrol information CH_INFO2 for selecting the sole use of the secondexternal channel CH2 for the read request to the second memory systemA30.

As a second scheme for the selection, when successively read-requestingfirst and second data to the first memory system A20 or the secondmemory system A30, the host A10 may enter a specific operation mode toselect the sole use of the first external channel CH1 or the secondexternal channel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2.

For example, when successively read-requesting first and second data tothe first memory system A20, the host A10 may enter a first soletransfer mode to select the sole use of the first external channel CH1.

Also, when successively read-requesting first and second data to thefirst memory system A20, the host A10 may enter a first simultaneoustransfer mode to select the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2.

When successively read-requesting fourth and fifth data to the secondmemory system A30, the host A10 may enter a second sole transfer mode toselect the sole use of the second external channel CH2.

Furthermore, when successively read-requesting fourth and fifth data tothe second memory system A30, the host A10 may enter a secondsimultaneous transfer mode to select the simultaneous use of the firstand second external channels CH1 and CH2.

The respective first and second memory systems A20 and A30 may enter thefirst sole transfer mode, the second sole transfer mode, the firstsimultaneous transfer mode or the second simultaneous transfer mode by amode-enter request provided from the host A10, and, through themode-enter request, may be aware whether the host A10 has selected tosimultaneously use the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2 orhas selected to use only the first external channel CH1 or the secondexternal channel CH2.

In this regard, the host A10 may include a notice as the mode-enterrequest for notifying the first and second memory systems A20 and A30 ofthe entry to the first sole transfer mode, the second sole transfermode, the first simultaneous transfer mode or the second simultaneoustransfer mode, in a specific request to be provided to the first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30. The notice may be included in therequest in the form of context.

The first memory system A20 may transfer the notice as the mode-enterrequest for notifying the entry to the first sole transfer mode or thefirst simultaneous transfer mode, which is received from the host A10through a request to the first memory system A20, to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Similarly, the second memory system A30 may transfer the notice as themode-enter request for notifying the entry to the second sole transfermode or the second simultaneous transfer mode, which is received fromthe host A10 through a request to the second memory system A30, to thefirst memory system A20 through the internal channel CH_INT.

For example, when providing the first memory system A20 with readrequests for successively reading first and second data, the host A10may include a notice as the mode-enter request for notifying the entryto the first sole transfer mode or the first simultaneous transfer modein the read requests in the form of context. Then, the first memorysystem A20 may transfer the provided notice to the second memory systemA30 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Similarly, when providing the second memory system A30 with readrequests for successively reading fourth and fifth data, the host A10may include a notice as the mode-enter request for notifying the entryto the second sole transfer mode or the second simultaneous transfermode in the read requests in the form of context. Then, the secondmemory system A30 may transfer the provided notice to the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT.

For reference, the fact that the notice as the mode-enter request isincluded in a request in the form of context means that somepredetermined bits among a plurality of reserved bits included in therequest are set to have predetermined values representing the notice.

In detail, in the case where the first simultaneous transfer mode isentered, the first memory system A20 outputs any of the first and seconddata read-requested from the host A10, for example, the first data, tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1, and outputs theremaining data, for example, the second data, to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Accordingly, in the case where the first simultaneous transfer mode isentered, the second memory system A30 outputs the data inputted from thefirst memory system A20 through the internal channel CH_INT, forexample, the second data, to the host A10 through the second externalchannel CH2.

Conversely, in the case where the first sole transfer mode is entered,the first memory system A20 outputs any of the first and second dataread-requested from the host A10, for example, the first data, to thehost A10 through the first external channel CH1, and then, outputs theremaining data, for example, the second data, to the host A10 throughthe first external channel CH1.

Moreover, in the case where the second simultaneous transfer mode isentered, the second memory system A30 outputs any of the fourth andfifth data read-requested from the host A10, for example, the fourthdata, to the host A10 through the second external channel CH2, andoutputs the remaining data, for example, the fifth data, to the firstmemory system A20 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Accordingly, in the case where the second simultaneous transfer mode isentered, the first memory system A20 outputs the data inputted from thesecond memory system A30 through the internal channel CH_INT, forexample, the fifth data, to the host A10 through the first externalchannel CH1.

Conversely, in the case where the second sole transfer mode is entered,the second memory system A30 outputs any of the fourth and fifth dataread-requested from the host A10, for example, the fourth data, to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2, and then, outputs theremaining data, for example, the fifth data, to the host A10 through thesecond external channel CH2.

In the case where a read or write request to the second memory systemA30 is not scheduled for the preset time or longer from a time of a readrequest to the first memory system A20, the host A10 enters the firstsimultaneous transfer mode and thereby selects the simultaneous use ofthe first and second external channels CH1 and CH2 for the read requestto the first memory system A20.

In the case where a read or write request to the first memory system A20is not scheduled for the preset time or longer from a time of a readrequest to the second memory system A30, the host A10 enters the secondsimultaneous transfer mode and thereby selects the simultaneous use ofthe first and second external channels CH1 and CH2 for the read requestto the second memory system A30.

Conversely, in the case where a read or write request to the secondmemory system A30 is scheduled within the preset time from a time of aread request to the first memory system A20, the host A10 enters thefirst sole transfer mode and thereby selects the sole use of the firstexternal channel CH1 for the read request to the first memory systemA20.

In the case where a read or write request to the first memory system A20is scheduled within the preset time from a time of a read request to thesecond memory system A30, the host A10 enters the second sole transfermode and thereby selects the sole use of the second external channel CH2for the read request to the second memory system A30.

For reference, in the above descriptions, it is assumed that the hostA10 schedules by itself in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the memory systems A20 and A30. For example, the host A10 mayschedule in advance whether or not to provide a read or write request tothe second memory system A30 within the preset time from a time of aread request to the first memory system A20. Conversely, the host A10may schedule in advance whether or not to provide a read or writerequest to the first memory system A20 within the preset time from atime of a read request to the second memory system A30.

The reason why, in the above descriptions, a channel selecting method isdivided into two options according to a read request of the host A10 isbecause coupling schemes between the host A10 and the memory systems A20and A30 vary. That is, according to the type or operating scheme of thedata processing system including the host A10 and the memory systems A20and A30 or a designer's choice, a host included in a certain dataprocessing system may use the first option in which a channel controlinformation is transferred to memory systems, and a host included inanother data processing system may use the second option in which memorysystems enter a specific operation mode.

In addition, in the case where, in the above descriptions, the firstmemory system A20 and the second memory system A30 are in a master-slaverelationship with respect to each other, their operations may be limitedas follows.

In the case where the first memory system A20 is a master and the secondmemory system A30 is a slave, an operation of sending data from thefirst memory system A20 as the master to the second memory system A30 asthe slave may be performed, but an opposite operation may not beperformed. Namely, in the above descriptions, the operation of selectingthe simultaneous use according to the first external channel controlinformation and the operation of entering the first simultaneoustransfer mode may be performed, but the operation of selecting thesimultaneous use according to the second external channel controlinformation and the operation of entering the second simultaneoustransfer mode may not be performed.

Conversely, in the case where the second memory system A30 is a masterand the first memory system A20 is a slave, an operation of sending datafrom the second memory system A30 as the master to the first memorysystem A20 as the slave may be performed, but an opposite operation maybe limited not to be performed. Namely, in the above descriptions, theoperation of selecting the simultaneous use according to the secondexternal channel control information and the operation of entering thesecond simultaneous transfer mode may be performed, but the operation ofselecting the simultaneous use according to the first external channelcontrol information and the operation of entering the first simultaneoustransfer mode may not be performed.

Of course, in the case where the first memory system A20 and the secondmemory system A30 are not in a master-slave relationship with respect toeach other, an operation of sending data from the first memory systemA20 to the second memory system A30 may be performed, and an operationof sending data from the second memory system A30 to the first memorysystem A20 may be performed as well. Namely, the operation of selectingthe simultaneous use according to the first external channel controlinformation, the operation of entering the first simultaneous transfermode, the operation of selecting the simultaneous use according to thesecond external channel control information and the operation ofentering the second simultaneous transfer mode may be performed.

In the above descriptions, it is illustrated that two memory systems A20and A30 are included in the data processing system. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and, in practice, it is possible that morememory systems are included. Of course, even in the case where more thantwo memory systems are included, internal channels for transferring dataamong the memory systems will be included.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the detailed configuration of the first memorysystem A20 among the components of the data processing system describedabove with reference to FIG. 1 is shown.

First, the first memory system A20 includes a memory device which storesdata to be accessed from the host A10, that is, the first nonvolatilememory device A21, and a controller B10 which controls data storage tothe first nonvolatile memory device A21.

The controller B10 controls the first nonvolatile memory device A21 inresponse to a request from the host A10. For example, the controller B10provides data read from the first nonvolatile memory device A21, to thehost A10, and stores data provided from the host A10, in the firstnonvolatile memory device A21. To this end, the controller 1310 controlsthe operations of the first nonvolatile memory device A21, such as read,write, program and erase operations.

In detail, the controller B10 included in the first memory system A20includes a host interface (HOST INTERFACE) 1321, a processor (PROCESSOR)1341, a memory interface (MEMORY INTERFACE) 1421, a memory (MEMORY) 1441and an internal channel interface (INTERNAL INTERFACE) B20. All thecomponents 1321, 1341, 1421, 1441 and B20 included in the controller1310 share signals transferred inside the controller B10, through afirst internal bus IN_BUS1.

The host interface 1321 performs an operation of exchanging a requestand data transferred between the host A10 and the controller B10.

The memory interface 1421 serves as a memory/storage interface whichperforms interfacing between the controller 1310 and the firstnonvolatile memory device A21, to allow the controller 1310 to controlthe first nonvolatile memory device A21 in response to a request fromthe host A10. The memory interface 1421 generates control signals forthe first nonvolatile memory device A21 and processes data under thecontrol of the processor 1341, as a NAND flash controller (NFC) in thecase where the first nonvolatile memory device A21 is a flash memory, inparticular, in the case where the first nonvolatile memory device A21 isa NAND flash memory.

The memory interface 1421 may support the operation of an interfacewhich processes a command and data between the controller B10 and thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21, for example, a NAND flashinterface, in particular, data input/output between the controller B10and the first nonvolatile memory device A21, and may be driven through afirmware which is referred to as a flash interface layer (FIL), as aregion which exchanges data with the first nonvolatile memory deviceA21.

The internal channel interface B20 is an interface for managing theinternal channel CH_INT which exists to couple the first memory systemA20 with another memory system of the data processing system havingincluded therein the first memory system A20, for example, the secondmemory system A30. That is, the internal channel interface B20 performsan operation of inputting and outputting data between the first memorysystem A20 and the second memory system A30.

For reference, in the case where the first memory system A20 and thesecond memory system A30 are not a master-slave relationship, theinternal channel interface B20 performs both operations of inputting andoutputting data between the first memory system A20 and the secondmemory system A30. However, in the case where the first memory systemA20 and the second memory system A30 are a master-slave relationship,the internal channel interface B20 performs only an operation ofoutputting data from the first memory system A20 to the second memorysystem A30.

The memory 1441 as the working memory of the first memory system A20 andthe controller B10 stores data for driving the first memory system A20and the controller B10. In detail, the memory 1441 temporarily storesdata which should be managed, when the controller B10 controls the firstnonvolatile memory device A21 in response to a request from the hostA10, for example, when the controller B10 controls the operations of thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21, such as read, write, program anderase operations.

The memory 1441 may be realized by a volatile memory. For example, thememory 1441 may be realized by a static random access memory (SRAM) or adynamic random access memory (DRAM).

The memory 1441 may be disposed inside the controller B10 as illustratedin FIG. 2A, and may be disposed outside the controller B10 unlike theillustration of FIG. 2A. In the case where the memory 1441 is disposedoutside the controller B10 unlike the illustration of FIG. 2A, thememory 1441 should be realized by an external volatile memory to andfrom which data are inputted and outputted from and to the controllerB10 through a separate memory interface (not shown).

The memory 1441 stores data which should be managed in the course ofcontrolling the operation of the first nonvolatile memory device A21.For such data storage, the memory 1441 may include a program memory, adata memory, a write buffer/cache, a read buffer/cache, a databuffer/cache, a map buffer/cache, and so forth. Thus, a plurality ofwrite data which are inputted from the host A10 may be temporarilystored in the memory 1441 until they are programmed to the firstnonvolatile memory device A21.

The processor 1341 controls the entire operations of the first memorysystem A20, and in particular, controls a program operation or a readoperation for the first nonvolatile memory device A21, in response to awrite request or a read request from the host A10. The processor 1341drives a firmware which is referred to as a flash translation layer(FTL), to control general operations of the first memory system A20 forthe first nonvolatile memory device A21. The processor 1341 may berealized by a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU).

For instance, the controller B10 performs an operation requested fromthe host A10, in the first nonvolatile memory device A21, that is,performs a command operation corresponding to a request received fromthe host A10, with the first nonvolatile memory device A21, through theprocessor 1341 which is realized by a microprocessor or a centralprocessing unit (CPU). The controller B10 may perform a foregroundoperation as a command operation corresponding to a request receivedfrom the host A10, for example, a program operation corresponding to awrite request, a read operation corresponding to a read request, anerase operation corresponding to an erase request or a parameter setoperation corresponding to a set parameter request or a set featurerequest as a set request.

The controller B10 may perform a background operation for the firstnonvolatile memory device A21, through the processor 1341 which isrealized by a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU). Thebackground operation for the first nonvolatile memory device A21 mayinclude an operation of copying data stored in a certain memory blockamong memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > of the firstnonvolatile memory device A21, to another certain memory block, forexample, a garbage collection (GC) operation. The background operationfor the first nonvolatile memory device A21 may include an operation ofswapping stored data among the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . .. > of the first nonvolatile memory device A21, for example, a wearleveling (WL) operation. The background operation for the firstnonvolatile memory device A21 may include an operation of storing mapdata stored in the controller B10, in the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0,1, 2, . . . > of the first nonvolatile memory device A21, for example, amap flush operation.

The background operation for the first nonvolatile memory device A21 mayinclude a bad management operation for the first nonvolatile memorydevice A21, for example, a bad block management operation of checkingand processing a bad block among the plurality of memory blocks MEMORYBLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > included in the first nonvolatile memory deviceA21.

The controller B10 may generate and manage log data corresponding to anoperation of accessing the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >of the first nonvolatile memory device

A21, through the processor 1341 which is realized by a microprocessor ora central processing unit (CPU). The operation of accessing the memoryblocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > of the first nonvolatile memorydevice A21 includes performing a foreground operation or a backgroundoperation for the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > of thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21.

In the processor 1341 of the controller B10, a component (not shown) forperforming bad block management (which may also be referred to as “badblock manager”) of the first nonvolatile memory device A21 may beincluded. The bad block manager of the first nonvolatile memory deviceA21 performs a bad block management of checking for a bad block amongthe plurality of memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > included inthe first nonvolatile memory device A21 and processing the checked badblock as bad. The bad block management means that, in the case where thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 is a flash memory, for example, aNAND flash memory, since a program failure may occur when writing data,for example, programming data, due to the characteristic of the NANDflash memory, a memory block where the program failure has occurred isprocessed as bad and program-failed data is written, that is,programmed, into a new memory block.

The first nonvolatile memory device A21 in the first memory system A20may retain stored data even though power is not supplied. In particular,the first nonvolatile memory device A21 in the first memory system A20may store write data (not shown) provided from the host A10, through awrite operation, and may provide read data (not shown) stored therein,to the host A10, through a read operation.

While the first nonvolatile memory device A21 may be realized by anonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, for example, a NAND flashmemory, it is to be noted that the first nonvolatile memory device A21may be realized by any one memory among memories such as a phase changememory (PCRAM: phase change random access memory), a resistive memory(RRAM (ReRAM): resistive random access memory), a ferroelectric memory(FRAM: ferroelectric random access memory) and a spin transfer torquemagnetic memory (STT-RAM (STT-MRAM): spin transfer torque magneticrandom access memory).

The first nonvolatile memory device A21 includes the plurality of memoryblocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >. That is, the first nonvolatilememory device A21 may store write data provided from the host A10, inthe memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >, through a writeoperation, and may provide read data (not shown) stored in the memoryblocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >, to the host A10, through a readoperation.

Each of the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >included in thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 includes a plurality of pages P<0,1, 2, 3, 4, . . . >. Also, while not shown in detail in the drawing, aplurality of memory cells are included in each of the pages P<0, 1, 2,3, 4, . . . >.

Each of the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > included in thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 may be classified as a single levelcell (SLC) memory block or a multi-level cell (MLC) memory block,depending on the number of bits which may be stored or expressed in onememory cell included therein. An SLC memory block includes a pluralityof pages which are realized by memory cells each storing 1 bit, and hasexcellent data computation performance and high durability. An MLCmemory block includes a plurality of pages which are realized by memorycells each storing multi-bit data (for example, 2 or more bits), and maybe more highly integrated than the SLC memory block since it has alarger data storage space than the SLC memory block.

In particular, the MLC memory block may be classified as an MLC memoryblock including a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cellseach capable of storing 2-bit data, a triple level cell (TLC) memoryblock including a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cellseach capable of storing 3-bit data, a quadruple level cell (QLC) memoryblock including a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cellseach capable of storing 4-bit data or a multiple level cell memory blockincluding a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cells eachcapable of storing 5 or more-bit data.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the detailed configuration of the second memorysystem A30 among the components of the data processing system describedabove with reference to FIG. 1 is shown.

First, the second memory system A30 includes a memory device whichstores data to be accessed from the host A10, that is, the secondnonvolatile memory device A31, and a controller B30 which controls datastorage to the second nonvolatile memory device A31.

The controller B30 controls the second nonvolatile memory device A31 inresponse to a request from the host A10. For example, the controller B30provides data read from the second nonvolatile memory device A31, to thehost A10, and stores data provided from the host A10, in the secondnonvolatile memory device A31. To this end, the controller B30 controlsthe operations of the second nonvolatile memory device A31, such asread, write, program, and erase operations.

In detail, the controller B30 included in the second memory system A30includes a host interface (HOST INTERFACE) 1322, a processor (PROCESSOR)1342, a memory interface (MEMORY INTERFACE) 1422, a memory (MEMORY) 1442and an internal channel interface (INTERNAL INTERFACE) B40. All thecomponents 1322, 1342, 1422, 1442 and B40 included in the controller B30share signals transferred inside the controller B30, through a secondinternal bus IN_BUS2.

The host interface 1322 performs an operation of exchanging a requestand data to be transferred between the second memory system A30 and thehost A10.

The memory interface 1422 serves as a memory/storage interface whichperforms interfacing between the controller B30 and the secondnonvolatile memory device A31, to allow the controller B30 to controlthe second nonvolatile memory device A31 in response to a request fromthe host A10. The memory interface 1422 generates control signals forthe second nonvolatile memory device A31 and processes data under thecontrol of the processor 1342, as a NAND flash controller (NFC) in thecase where the second nonvolatile memory device A31 is a flash memory,in particular, in the case where the second nonvolatile memory deviceA31 is a NAND flash memory.

The memory interface 1422 may support the operation of an interfacewhich processes a command and data between the controller B30 and thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31, for example, a NAND flashinterface, in particular, data input/output between the controller B30and the second nonvolatile memory device A31, and may be driven througha firmware which is referred to as a flash interface layer (FIL), as aregion which exchanges data with the second nonvolatile memory deviceA31.

The internal channel interface B40 is an interface for managing theinternal channel CH_INT which exists to couple the second memory systemA30 with another memory system of the data processing system havingincluded therein the second memory system A30, for example, the firstmemory system A20. That is, the internal channel interface B40 performsan operation of inputting and outputting data between the second memorysystem A30 and the first memory system A20.

For reference, in the case where the second memory system A30 and thefirst memory system A20 are not a master-slave relationship, theinternal channel interface B40 performs both operations of inputting andoutputting data between the second memory system A30 and the firstmemory system A20. However, in the case where the second memory systemA30 and the first memory system A20 are a master-slave relationship, theinternal channel interface B40 performs only an operation of outputtingdata from the second memory system A30 to the first memory system A20.

The memory 1442 as the working memory of the second memory system A30and the controller B30 stores data for driving the second memory systemA30 and the controller 330. In detail, the memory 1442 temporarilystores data which should be managed, when the controller B30 controlsthe second nonvolatile memory device A31 in response to a request fromthe host A10, for example, when the controller B30 controls theoperations of the second nonvolatile memory device A31, such as read,write, program, and erase operations.

The memory 1442 may be realized by a volatile memory. For example, thememory 1442 may be realized by a static random access memory (SRAM) or adynamic random access memory (DRAM).

The fact that the memory 1442 is positioned inside the controller B30 asshown in FIG. 2B does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.Namely, it is possible that the memory 1442 is positioned outside thecontroller B30. In the case where the memory 1442 exists outside thecontroller B30, the memory 1442 should be realized by an externalvolatile memory to and from which data are inputted and outputted fromand to the controller B30 through a separate memory interface (notshown).

The memory 1442 stores data which should be managed in the course ofcontrolling the operation of the second nonvolatile memory device A31.For such data storage, the memory 1442 may include a program memory, adata memory, a write buffer/cache, a read buffer/cache, a databuffer/cache, a map buffer/cache, and so forth. Thus, a plurality ofwrite data which are inputted from the host A10 may be temporarilystored in the memory 1442 until they are programmed to the secondnonvolatile memory device A31.

The processor 1342 controls the entire operations of the second memorysystem A30, and in particular, controls a program operation or a readoperation for the second nonvolatile memory device A31, in response to awrite request or a read request from the host A10. The processor 1342drives a firmware which is referred to as a flash translation layer(FTL), to control general operations of the second memory system A30 forthe second nonvolatile memory device A31. The processor 1342 may berealized by a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU).

For instance, the controller B30 performs an operation requested fromthe host A10, in the second nonvolatile memory device A31, that is,performs a command operation corresponding to a request received fromthe host A10, with the second nonvolatile memory device A31, through theprocessor 1342 which is realized by a microprocessor or a centralprocessing unit (CPU). The controller B30 may perform a foregroundoperation as a command operation corresponding to a request receivedfrom the host A10, for example, a program operation corresponding to awrite request, a read operation corresponding to a read request, anerase operation corresponding to an erase request or a parameter setoperation corresponding to a set parameter request or a set featurerequest as a set request.

The controller B30 may perform a background operation for the secondnonvolatile memory device A31, through the processor 1342 which isrealized by a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU). Thebackground operation for the second nonvolatile memory device A31 mayinclude an operation for copying data stored in a certain memory blockamong memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > of the secondnonvolatile memory device A31, to another certain memory block, forexample, a garbage collection (GC) operation. The background operationfor the second nonvolatile memory device A31 may include an operation ofswapping stored data among the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . .. > of the second nonvolatile memory device A31, for example, a wearleveling (WL) operation. The background operation for the secondnonvolatile memory device A31 may include an operation of storing mapdata stored in the controller B30, in the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0,1, 2, . . . > of the second nonvolatile memory device A31, for example,a map flush operation. The background operation for the secondnonvolatile memory device A31 may include a bad block managementoperation for the second nonvolatile memory device A31, for example, abad block management operation of checking and processing a bad blockamong the plurality of memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >included in the second nonvolatile memory device A31.

The controller B30 may generate and manage log data corresponding to anoperation of accessing the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >of the second nonvolatile memory device A31, through the processor 1342which is realized by a microprocessor or a central processing unit(CPU). The operation of accessing the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1,2, . . . > the second nonvolatile memory device A31 includes performinga foreground operation or a background operation for the memory blocksMEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > of the second nonvolatile memory deviceA31.

In the processor 1342 of the controller B30, an element (not shown) forperforming bad block management of the second nonvolatile memory deviceA31 may be included. The element for performing bad block management ofthe second nonvolatile memory device A31 performs a bad block managementof checking a bad block among the plurality of memory blocks MEMORYBLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > included in the second nonvolatile memory deviceA31 and processing the checked bad block as bad. The bad blockmanagement means that, in the case where the second nonvolatile memorydevice A31 is a flash memory, for example, a NAND flash memory, since aprogram failure may occur when writing data, for example, programmingdata, due to the characteristic of the NAND flash memory, a memory blockwhere the program failure has occurred is processed as bad andprogram-failed data is written, that is, programmed, in a new memoryblock.

The second nonvolatile memory device A31 in the second memory system A30may retain stored data even though powers not supplied. In particular,the second nonvolatile memory device A31 in the second memory system A30may store write data provided from the host A10, through a writeoperation, and may provide read data (not shown) stored therein, to thehost A10, through a read operation.

While the second nonvolatile memory device A31 may be realized by anonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, for example, a NAND flashmemory, it is to be noted that the second nonvolatile memory device A31may be realized by any one memory among memories such as a phase changememory (PCRAM: phase change random access memory), a resistive memory(RRAM (ReRAM): resistive random access memory), a ferroelectric memory(FRAM: ferroelectric random access memory) and a spin transfer torquemagnetic memory (STT-RAM (STT-MRAM): spin transfer torque magneticrandom access memory).

The second nonvolatile memory device A31 includes the plurality ofmemory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >. That is, the secondnonvolatile memory device A31 may store write data provided from thehost A10, in the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >, through awrite operation, and may provide read data (not shown) stored in thememory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . >, to the host A10, through aread operation.

Each of the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > included in thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 includes a plurality of pages P<0,1, 2, 3, 4, . . . >. Also, while not shown in detail in the drawing, aplurality of memory cells are included in each of the pages P<0, 1, 2,3, 4, . . . >.

Each of the memory blocks MEMORY BLOCK<0, 1, 2, . . . > included in thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 may be classified as a single levelcell (SLC) memory block or a multi-level cell (MLC) memory block,depending on the number of bits which may be stored or expressed in onememory cell included therein. An SLC memory block includes a pluralityof pages which are realized by memory cells each storing 1 bit, and hasexcellent data computation performance and high durability. An MLCmemory block includes a plurality of pages which are realized by memorycells each storing multi-bit data (for example, 2 or more bits), and maybe more highly integrated than the SLC memory block since it has alarger data storage space than the SLC memory block.

In particular, the MLC memory block may be classified as an MLC memoryblock including a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cellseach capable of storing 2-bit data, a triple level cell (TLC) memoryblock including a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cellseach capable of storing 3-bit data, a quadruple level cell (QLC) memoryblock including a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cellseach capable of storing 4-bit data or a multiple level cell memory blockincluding a plurality of pages which are realized by memory cells eachcapable of storing 5 or more-bit data.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams of examples of operations of the dataprocessing system including a plurality of memory systems in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 3A to 3D, the first memory system A20 and the second memorysystem A30 have a master-slave relationship. Therefore, data may betransferred from the first memory system A20 as a master to the secondmemory system A30 as a slave, through the internal channel CH_INT.However, data cannot be transferred from the second memory system A30 asa slave to the first memory system A20 as a master.

To this end, the host A10 transfers the first external channel controlinformation CH_INFO1 to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30to select the sole use of the first external channel CH1 or thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2,as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.Conversely, the host A10 does not use the second external channelcontrol information CH_INFO2 for selecting the sole use of the secondexternal channel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2.

Further, the host A10 enters the first sole transfer mode or the firstsimultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of the first externalchannel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2, as will be described below with reference to FIGS.3C and 3D. Conversely, the host A10 does not enter the second soletransfer mode or the second simultaneous transfer mode for selecting thesole use of the second external channel CH2 or the simultaneous use ofthe first and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3A, when issuing read requests READ_REQ<1:2> forfirst data DATA1 and second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20,the host A10 transfers the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of the first external channel CH1 orthe simultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 andCH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1 and the second dataDATA2 to the first memory system A20, a read request READ REQ3 for thirddata DATA3 to be sent to the second memory system A30 within the presettime.

Therefore, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the firstdata DATA1 and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, thehost A10 transfers the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of the first external channel CH1,to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

Accordingly, each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30determines in response to the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 that the host A10 has selected the sole use of the firstexternal channel CH1.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the first data DATA1 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata first time T1 according to the read request READ_REQ1 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the first data DATA1 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the second data DATA2from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a second time T2 according to the read request READ_REQ2 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the second data DATA2 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read request READ_REQ3 for the third data DATA3 to the secondmemory system A30 within the preset time.

Because the first memory system A20 is solely using the first externalchannel CH1 according to the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1, the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> to the first memory system A20and the read request READ_REQ3 to the second memory system A30 may beperformed within the preset time.

When solely using the first external channel CH1 according to the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1, the first memory systemA20 may open the first internal bus IN_BUS1 and the internal channelCH_INT to prevent the data loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1 frominterfering with the second internal bus IN_BUS2 of the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the third data DATA3 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a third time T3 having a difference within the preset time from thesecond time T2, according to the read request READ_REQ3 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the third data DATA3 loaded in the secondinternal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, it may be seen that the third time T3 isa time that is later within the preset time than the second time T2.However, this is nothing but a mere example, and it can be envisagedthat the third time T3 is a time that is earlier within the preset timethan the first time T1. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule inadvance that the difference between the third time T3 and each of thefirst and second times T1 and T2 is within the preset time, even in thecase where the third time T3 is a time that is earlier within the presettime than the first time T1, the host A10 may transfer the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1 for selecting the sole useof the first external channel CH1, to the first and second memorysystems A20 and A30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 3B, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<1:2> for first data DATA1 and second data DATA2 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 transfers the first external channelcontrol information CH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of the firstexternal channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1 and the second dataDATA2 to the first memory system A20, a read request READ_REQ3 for thirddata DATA3 to be sent to the second memory system A30 at a time when atime equal to or longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Therefore, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the firstdata DATA1 and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, thehost A10 transfers the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 for selecting the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30.

Accordingly, each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30determines in response to the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 that the host A10 has selected the simultaneous use of thefirst and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the second data DATA2 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata first time T1 according to the read request READ_REQ1 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the second data DATA2 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1, to the second memory system A30 through theinternal channel CH_INT.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the first data DATA1from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a second time T2 according to the read request READ_REQ2 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the first data DATA1 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In this way, the first memory system A20 reads the second data DATA2 tobe transferred to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the first data DATA1 to be outputted to thehost A10 through the first external channel CH1, from the firstnonvolatile memory device A21.

After receiving the second data DATA2 inputted from the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT at the first time T1, tothe second internal bus IN_BUS2, the second memory system A30 outputsthe second data DATA2 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2.

For reference, in FIG. 3B, after the first data DATA1 is outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1 from the firstmemory system A20, the second data DATA2 is outputted to the host A10through the second external channel CH2 from the second memory systemA30. However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in anoverlapping form, and in practice, the first and second data DATA1 andDATA2 are outputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read request READ_REQ3 for the third data DATA3 to the secondmemory system A30 after a time equal to or longer than the preset timehas elapsed.

Since the first memory system A20 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the first externalchannel control information CH_INFO1, the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> tothe first memory system A20 and the read request READ_REQ3 to the secondmemory system A30 cannot be performed within the preset time.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the third data DATA3 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a third time T3 having a difference equal to or longer than thepreset time from the second time T2, according to the read requestREAD_REQ3 from the host A10, and then, outputs the third data DATA3loaded in the second internal bus IN. BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the third time T3 is a time that is laterby at least the preset time than the second time T2. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the third timeT3 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset time than the firsttime T1. Since the host A10 may schedule in advance the differencebetween the third time T3 and each of the first and second times T1 andT2 to be equal to or longer than the preset time, even in the case wherethe third time T3 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset timethan the first time T1, the host A10 may transfer the first externalchannel control information CH_INFO1 for selecting the simultaneous useof the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2, to the first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 3C, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<1:2> for first data DATA1 and second data DATA2 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 may enter the first sole transfer modeor the first simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of thefirst external channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1 and the second dataDATA2 to the first memory system A20, a read request READ_REQ3 for thirddata DATA3 to be sent to the second memory system A30 within the presettime.

Therefore, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the firstdata DATA1 and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, thehost A10 enters the first sole transfer mode to select the sole use ofthe first external channel CH1. The host A10 includes an informationnotifying the entry to the first sole transfer mode, in the readrequests READ_REQ<1:2> to be transferred to the first memory system A20,in the form of context.

In the state in which the entry to the first sole transfer mode is made,the first memory system A20 does not transfer data to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. Thus, regardless ofwhether or not it is a state in which the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made, no influence is exerted on the operation of thesecond memory system A30. Due to this fact, as shown in FIG. 3C, thefirst memory system A20 does not transfer the information transferredfrom the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made, to the second memory system A30.

The first memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10 has enteredthe first sole transfer mode, according to the information transferredfrom the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made. That is, the first memory system A20 may be awarethat the host A10 has selected the sole use of the first externalchannel CH1.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the first data DATA1 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata first time T1 according to the read request READ_REQ1 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the first data DATA1 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the second data DATA2from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a second time T2 according to the read request READ_REQ2 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the second data DATA2 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read request READ_REQ3 for the third data DATA3 to the secondmemory system A30 within the preset time.

Since the first memory system A20 is solely using the first externalchannel CH1 according to the entry to the first sole transfer mode, theread requests READ_REQ<1:2> to the first memory system A20 and the readrequest READ_REQ3 to the second memory system A30 may be performedwithin the preset time.

When solely using the first external channel CH1 according to the entryto the first sole transfer mode, the first memory system A20 may openthe first internal bus IN_BUS1 and the internal channel CH_INT toprevent the data loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1 frominterfering with the second internal bus IN_BUS2 of the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the third data DATA3 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a third time T3 having a difference within the preset time from thesecond time T2, according to the read request READ_REQ3 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the third data DATA3 loaded in the secondinternal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the third time T3 is a time that is laterwithin the preset time than the second time T2. However, this is nothingbut a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the third time T3 is atime that is earlier within the preset time than the first time T1.Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance that the differencebetween the third time T3 and each of the first and second times T1 andT2 is within the preset time, even in the case where the third time T3is a time that is earlier within the preset time than the first time T1,the host A10 may enter the first sole transfer mode to select the soleuse of the first external channel CH1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 3D, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<1:2> for first data DATA1 and second data DATA2 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 may enter the first sole transfer modeor the first simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of thefirst external channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1 and the second dataDATA2 to the first memory system A20, a read request READ_REQ3 for thirddata DATA3 to be sent to the second memory system A30 at a time when atime equal to or longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Therefore, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the firstdata DATA1 and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, thehost A10 enters the first simultaneous transfer mode to select thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2.The host A10 includes an information notifying the entry to the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, in the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> to betransferred to the first memory system A20, in the form of context.

In the state in which the entry to the first simultaneous transfer modeis made, the first memory system A20 transfers data to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. Due to this fact, thesecond memory system A30 receives data from the first memory system A20through the internal channel CH_INT in the state in which it enters thefirst simultaneous transfer mode. As shown in FIG. 3D, the first memorysystem A20 transfers the information transferred from the host A10 andnotifying that the entry to the first simultaneous transfer mode ismade, to the second memory system A30 through the internal channelCH_INT.

The first memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10 has enteredthe first simultaneous transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the firstsimultaneous transfer mode is made. Similarly, the second memory systemA30 may be aware that the host A10 has entered the first simultaneoustransfer mode, according to the information transferred from the firstmemory system A20 and notifying that the entry to the first simultaneoustransfer mode is made. That is, each of the first and second memorysystems A20 and A30 may be aware that the host A10 has selected thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the second data DATA2 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata first time T1 according to the read request READ_REQ1 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the second data DATA2 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1, to the second memory system A30 through theinternal channel CH_INT.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the first data DATA1from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a second time T2 according to the read request READ_REQ2 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the first data DATA1 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In this way, the first memory system A20 reads the second data DATA2 tobe transferred to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the first data DATA1 to be outputted to thehost A10 through the first external channel CH1, from the firstnonvolatile memory device A21.

After receiving the second data DATA2 inputted from the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT at the first time T1, tothe second internal bus IN_BUS2, the second memory system A30 outputsthe second data DATA2 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2.

For reference, it may be seen that, in FIG. 3D, after the first dataDATA1 is outputted to the host A10 through the first external channelCH1 from the first memory system A20, the second data DATA2 is outputtedto the host A10 through the second external channel CH2 from the secondmemory system A30. However, this is only in order not to show thedrawing in an overlapping form, and in practice, the first and seconddata DATA1 and DATA2 are outputted to the host A10 at substantially thesame time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> for the first data DATA1and the second data DATA2 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read request READ_REQ3 for the third data DATA3 to the secondmemory system A30 after a time equal to or longer than the preset timehas elapsed.

Since the first memory system A20 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the entry to the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, the read requests READ_REQ<1:2> to the firstmemory system A20 and the read request READ_REQ3 to the second memorysystem A30 cannot be performed within the preset time.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the third data DATA3 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a third time T3 having a difference equal to or longer than thepreset time from the second time T2, according to the read requestREAD_REQ3 from the host A10, and then, outputs the third data DATA3loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the third time T3 is a time that is laterby at least the preset time than the second time T2. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the third timeT3 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset time than the firsttime T1. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance that thedifference between the third time T3 and each of the first and secondtimes T1 and T2 is equal to or longer than the preset time, even in thecase where the third time T3 is a time that is earlier by at least thepreset time than the first time T1, the host A10 may enter the firstsimultaneous transfer mode to select the simultaneous use of the firstand second external channels CH1 and CH2.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an operation of the data processing systemincluding the plurality of memory systems A20 and A30 in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3A to3D, the first memory system A20 and the second memory system A30 have amaster-slave relationship. Therefore, when a read request of the hostA10 to the first memory system A20 is sent, an operation of determiningwhether the read request includes a plurality of successive readrequests is performed (S10).

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step S10, theread request of the host A10 to the first memory system A20 is a readrequest for one data DATA1 (NO at step S10), the first memory system A20reads the one data DATA1 read-requested from the host A10, to the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1 from the first nonvolatile memory device A21, andthen outputs the data DATA1 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1 (S20). Thereafter,the process may end.

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step S10, theread request of the host A10 to the first memory system A20 includes aplurality of successive read requests for a plurality of data DATA1 andDATA2 (YES at step S10), the first memory system A20 determines whetherthe plurality of data DATA1 and DATA2 read-requested by the host A10should be outputted through only the first external channel CH1 orshould be outputted simultaneously through the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2 (S30).

Through the first external channel control information CH_INFO1transferred separately from the read request from the host A10, it ispossible to determine whether the sole use of the first external channelCH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and second external channelsCH1 and CH2 is selected as described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Also, through an information included in the form of context in the readrequest from the host A10, it is possible to determine whether the hostA10 has entered the first sole transfer mode or the first simultaneoustransfer mode as described with reference to FIGS. 3C and 3D.

In the case where, as a result of determination at the step S30, theplurality of data DATA1 and DATA2 read-requested by the host A10 shouldbe outputted through only the first external channel CH1 (YES at stepS30), the first memory system A20 reads any one data (e.g, data DATA1)among the plurality of data DATA1 and DATA2 read-requested from the hostA10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 from the first nonvolatile memorydevice A21, and then outputs the data DATA1 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the host A10 through the first external channel CH1(S40).

Then, the first memory system A20 reads the remaining data DATA2 notoutputted at the step S40 between the plurality of data DATA1 and DATA2read-requested from the host A10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 fromthe first nonvolatile memory device A21, and then, outputs the dataDATA2 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10 throughthe first external channel CH1 (S50).

Since the plurality of data DATA1 and DATA2 read-requested from the hostA10 are two pieces of data, the plurality of data DATA1 and DATA2 may besequentially outputted to the host A10 through the two steps S40 andS50. If a plurality of data read-requested from the host A10 is morethan two pieces of data, the plurality of data may be sequentiallyoutputted to the host A10 through more than two steps.

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step

S30, the plurality of data DATA1 and DATA2 read-requested by the hostA10 should be simultaneously outputted through the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2 (NO at step S30), the first memory systemA20 reads any (e.g., data DATA2) among the plurality of data DATA1 andDATA2 read-requested from the host A10, to the first internal busIN_BUS1 from the first nonvolatile memory device A21, and then outputsthe data DATA2 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the secondmemory system A30 through the internal channel CH_INT (S60).

Then, the first memory system A20 reads the remaining data DATA1 notoutputted at the step S60 between the plurality of data DATA1 and DATA2read-requested from the host A10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 fromthe first nonvolatile memory device A21, and then, outputs the dataDATA1 loaded in the first internal bus IN-BUS1, to the host A10 throughthe first external channel CH1 (S70).

Furthermore, in succession to the step S60, the second memory system A30receives the data DATA2 inputted from the first is memory system A20through the internal channel CH_INT, to the second internal bus IN_BUS2,and then, outputs the data DATA2 loaded in the second internal busIN_BUS2, to the host A10 through the second external channel CH2 (580).

FIGS. 5A to 5H are diagrams of examples of operations of the dataprocessing system including a plurality of memory systems in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, in FIGS. 5A to 5H, the first memory system A20 and the secondmemory system A30 are not a master-slave relationship. Therefore, datamay be transferred from the first memory system A20 to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. Also, data may betransferred from the second memory system A30 to the first memory systemA20.

To this end, the host A10 transfers the first external channel controlinformation CH_INFO1 to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30to select the sole use of the first external channel CH1 or thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2,as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D. Also, thehost A10 transfers the second external channel control informationCH_INFO2 for selecting the sole use of the second external channel CH2or the simultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1and CH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

Further, the host A10 enters the first sole transfer mode or the firstsimultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of the first externalchannel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2, as will be described below with reference to FIGS.5E to 5H. Also, the host A10 enters the second sole transfer mode or thesecond simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of the secondexternal channel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5A, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 transfers the first external channelcontrol information CH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of the firstexternal channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30. Moreover, when issuing read requests READ_REQ<6:7> forsixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30,the host A10 transfers the second external channel control informationCH_INFO2 for selecting the sole use of the second external channel CH2or the simultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1and CH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the first memory system A20, the read requests READ_REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thesecond memory system A30 within the preset time.

Thus, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ 4:5> for the fourth dataDATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the hostA10 transfers the first external channel control information CH_INFO1for allowing the first memory system A20 to select the sole use of thefirst external channel CH1, to the first and second memory systems A20and A30. In addition, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> forthe sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to the second memorysystem A30, the host A10 transfers the second external channel controlinformation CH_INFO2 for allowing the second memory system A30 to selectthe sole use of the second external channel CH2, to the first and secondmemory systems A20 and A30.

Each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30 determines inresponse to the first external channel control information CH_INFO1 thatthe host A10 has selected the sole use of the first external channel CH1when receiving the data read from the first memory system A20.Similarly, each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30determines in response to the second external channel controlinformation CH_INFO2 that the host A10 has selected the sole use of thesecond external channel CH2 when receiving the data read from the secondmemory system A30.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the fourth data DATA4 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ_REQ5 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

After issuing the read requests READ. REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30 within the presettime.

Since the first memory system A20 is solely using the first externalchannel CH1 according to the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1, no influence is exerted on each of the first memory system A20and the second memory system A30 when the second memory system A30solely uses the second external channel CH2 according to the secondexternal channel control information CH_INFO2. Therefore, the readrequests READ_REQ<4:5> to the first memory system A20 and the readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> to the second memory system A30 may be performedwithin the preset time.

When solely using the first external channel CH1 according to the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1, the first memory systemA20 may open the first internal bus IN_BUS1 and the internal channelCH_INT to prevent the data loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1 frominterfering with the second internal bus IN_BUS2 of the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Similarly, when solely using the second external channel CH2 accordingto the second external channel control information CH_INFO2, the secondmemory system A30 may open the second internal bus IN_BUS2 and theinternal channel CH_INT to prevent the data loaded in the secondinternal bus IN_BUS2 from interfering with the first internal busIN_BUS1 of the first memory system A20 through the internal channelCH_INT.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the sixth data DATA6 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a sixth time T6 having a difference within the preset time from thefifth time T5, according to the read request READ_REQ6 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6 loaded in the secondinternal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ_REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7 loaded inthe second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the sixth time T6 is a time that is laterwithin the preset time than the fifth time T5. However, this is nothingbut a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the seventh time T7 isa time that is earlier within the preset time than the fourth time T4.Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance that the differencebetween each of the sixth and seventh times T6 and T7 and each of thefourth and fifth times T4 and T5 is within the preset time, even in thecase where the seventh time T7 is a time that is earlier within thepreset time than the fourth time T4, the host A10 may transfer the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1 for allowing the firstmemory system A20 to select the sole use of the first external channelCH1, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30, and maytransfer the second external channel control information CH_INFO2 forallowing the second memory system A30 to select the sole use of thesecond external channel CH2, to the first and second memory systems A20and A30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5B, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 transfers the first external channelcontrol information CH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of the firstexternal channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30. Moreover, when issuing read requests READ REQ<6:7> forsixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30,the host A10 transfers the second external channel control informationCH_INFO2 for selecting the sole use of the second external channel CH2or the simultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1and CH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the first memory system A20, the read requests READ_REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thesecond memory system A30 at a time when a time equal to or longer thanthe preset time has elapsed.

Thus, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth dataDATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the hostA10 transfers the first external channel control information CH_INFO1for allowing the first memory system A20 to select the simultaneous useof the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2, to the first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30. In addition, when issuing the readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh dataDATA7 to the second memory system A30, the host A10 transfers the secondexternal channel control information CH_INFO2 for allowing the secondmemory system A30 to select the sole use of the second external channelCH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

Each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30 determines inresponse to the first external channel control information CH_INFO1 thatthe host A10 has selected the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2 when receiving the data read from thefirst memory system A20. Each of the first and second memory systems A20and A30 determines in response to the second external channel controlinformation CH_INFO2 that the host A10 has selected the sole use of thesecond external channel CH2 when receiving the data read from the secondmemory system A30.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the fourth data DATA4from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ_REQ5 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In this way, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 tobe transferred to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the fourth data DATA4 to be outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1, from the firstnonvolatile memory device A21.

After receiving the fifth data DATA5 inputted from the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT at the fourth time T4, tothe second internal bus IN_BUS2, the second memory system A30 outputsthe fifth data DATA5 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2.

For reference, in FIG. 5B, after the fourth data DATA4 is outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1 from the firstmemory system A20, the fifth data DATA5 is outputted to the host A10through the second external channel CH2 from the second memory systemA30. However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in anoverlapping form, and in practice, the fourth and fifth data DATA4 andDATA5 are outputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30 after a time equal toor longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Since the first memory system A20 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the first externalchannel control information CH_INFO1, when the second memory system A30solely uses the second external channel CH2 according to the secondexternal channel control information CH_INFO2, an influence may beexerted on each of the first memory system A20 and the second memorysystem A30. Therefore, the read requests READ REQ<4:5> to the firstmemory system A20 and the read requests READ REQ<6:7> to the secondmemory system A30 cannot be performed within the preset time.

When solely using the second external channel CH2 according to thesecond external channel control information CH_INFO2, the second memorysystem A30 opens the transfer of data from the second internal busIN_BUS2 to the internal channel CH_INT to prevent the data loaded in thesecond internal bus IN_BUS2 from interfering with the first internal busIN_BUS1 of the first memory system A20 through the internal channelCH_INT. However, since the second memory system A30 has to be able tonormally receive data from the first memory system A20, the secondmemory system A30 closes the transfer of data from the internal channelCH_INT to the second internal bus INBUS2.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the sixth data DATA6 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a sixth time T6 having a difference equal to or longer than thepreset time from the fifth time T5, according to the read requestREAD_REQ6 from the host A10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7 loaded inthe second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the sixth time T6 is a time that is laterby at least the preset time than the fifth time T5. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the seventhtime T7 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset time than thefourth time T4. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance thatthe difference between each of the sixth and seventh times T6 and T7 andeach of the fourth and fifth times T4 and T5 is equal to or longer thanthe preset time, even in the case where the seventh time T7 is a timethat is earlier by at least the preset time than the fourth time T4, thehost A10 may transfer the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 for allowing the first memory system A20 to select thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2,to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30, and may transfer thesecond external channel control information CH_INFO2 for allowing thesecond memory system A30 to select the sole use of the second externalchannel CH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5C, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the secondmemory system A30, the host A10 transfers the second external channelcontrol information CH_INFO2 for selecting the sole use of the secondexternal channel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30. Moreover, when issuing read requests READ_REQ<6:7> forsixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 to the first memory system A20,the host A10 transfers the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of the first external channel CH1 orthe simultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 andCH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the second memory system A30, the read requests READ_REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thefirst memory system A20 at a time when a time equal to or longer thanthe preset time has elapsed.

Thus, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ 4:5> for the fourth dataDATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the second memory system A30, the hostA10 transfers the second external channel control information CH_INFO2for allowing the second memory system A30 to select the simultaneous useof the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2, to the first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30. In addition, when issuing the readrequests READ REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh dataDATA7 to the first memory system A20, the host A10 transfers the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1 for allowing the firstmemory system A20 to select the sole use of the first external channelCH1, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

Each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30 determines inresponse to the second external channel control information CH_INFO2,that the host A10 has selected the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 when receiving the data read fromthe second memory system A30. Each of the first and second memorysystems A20 and A30 determines in response to the first external channelcontrol information CH_INFO1, that the host A10 has selected the soleuse of the first external channel CH1 when receiving the data read fromthe first memory system A20.

Thus, the second memory system A30 reads the fifth data DATA5 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 from thehost A10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in the secondinternal bus IN_BUS2, to the first memory system A20 through theinternal channel CH_INT.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the fourth data DATA4from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ REQ5 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in thesecond internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In this way, the second memory system A30 reads the fifth data DATA5 tobe transferred to the first memory system A20 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the fourth data DATA4 to be outputted tothe host A10 through the second external channel CH2, from the secondnonvolatile memory device A31.

After receiving the fifth data DATA5 inputted from the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT at the fourth time T4, tothe first internal bus IN_BUS1, the first memory system A20 outputs thefifth data DATA5 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the hostA10 through the first external channel CH1.

For reference, in FIG. 5C, after the fourth data DATA4 is outputted tothe host A10 through the second external channel CH2 from the secondmemory system A30, the fifth data DATA5 is outputted to the host A10through the first external channel CH1 from the first memory system A20.However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in an overlappingform, and in practice, the fourth and fifth data DATA4 and DATA5 areoutputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the second memory system A30, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the first memory system A20 after a time equal toor longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Since the second memory system A30 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the second externalchannel control information CH_INFO2, when the first memory system A20solely uses the first external channel CH1 according to the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1, an influence may beexerted on each of the first memory system A20 and the second memorysystem A30. Therefore, the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> to the secondmemory system A30 and the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> to the firstmemory system A20 cannot be performed within the preset time.

When solely using the first external channel CH1 according to the firstexternal channel control information CH_INFO1, the first memory systemA20 opens the transfer of data from the first internal bus IN_BUS1 tothe internal channel CH_INT to prevent the data loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1 from interfering with the second internal busIN_BUS2 of the second memory system A30 through the internal channelCH_INT. However, since the first memory system A20 has to be able tonormally receive data from the second memory system A30, the firstmemory system A20 closes the transfer of data from the internal channelCH_INT to the first internal bus IN_BUS1.

Hence, the first memory system A20 reads the sixth data DATA6 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata sixth time T6 having a difference equal to or longer than the presettime from the fifth time T5, according to the read request READ_REQ6from the host A10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the seventh data DATA7from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ_REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7 loaded inthe first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, it may be seen that the sixth time T6 isa time that is later by at least the preset time than the fifth time T5.However, this is nothing but a mere example, and it can be envisagedthat the seventh time T7 is a time that is earlier by at least thepreset time than the fourth time T4. Namely, since the host A10 mayschedule in advance that the difference between each of the sixth andseventh times T6 and T7 and each of the fourth and fifth times T4 and T5is equal to or longer than the preset time, even in the case where theseventh time T7 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset timethan the fourth time T4, the host A10 may transfer the second externalchannel control information CH_INFO2 for allowing the second memorysystem A30 to select the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30, and may transfer the first external channel controlinformation CH_INFO1 for allowing the first memory system A20 to selectthe sole use of the first external channel CH1, to the first and secondmemory systems A20 and A30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5D, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 transfers the first external channelcontrol information CH_INFO1 for selecting the sole use of the firstexternal channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30. Moreover, when issuing read requests READ_REQ<6:7> forsixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30,the host A10 transfers the second external channel control informationCH_INFO2 for selecting the sole use of the second external channel CH2or the simultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1and CH2, to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the first memory system A20, the read requests READ. REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thesecond memory system A30 at a time when a time equal to or longer thanthe preset time has elapsed.

Thus, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth dataDATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the hostA10 transfers the first external channel control information CH_INFO1for allowing the first memory system A20 to select the simultaneous useof the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2, to the first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30. In addition, when issuing the readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh dataDATA7 to the second memory system A30, the host A10 transfers the secondexternal channel control information CH_INFO2 for allowing the secondmemory system A30 to select the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memory systemsA20 and A30.

Each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30 determines inresponse to the first external channel control information CH_INFO1 thatthe host A10 has selected the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2 when receiving the data read from thefirst memory system A20. Each of the first and second memory systems A20and A30 determines in response to the second external channel controlinformation CH_INFO2 that the host A10 has selected the simultaneous useof the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2 when receiving thedata read from the second memory system A30.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the fourth data DATA4from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ_REQ5 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In this way, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 tobe transferred to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the fourth data DATA4 to be outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1, from the firstnonvolatile memory device A21.

After receiving the fifth data DATA5 inputted from the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT at the fourth time T4, tothe second internal bus IN_BUS2, the second memory system A30 outputsthe fifth data DATA5 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2.

For reference, in FIG. 5D, after the fourth data DATA4 is outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1 from the firstmemory system A20, the fifth data DATA5 is outputted to the host A10through the second external channel CH2 from the second memory systemA30. However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in anoverlapping form, and in practice, the fourth and fifth data DATA4 andDATA5 are outputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30 after a time equal toor longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Since the first memory system A20 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the first externalchannel control information CH_INFO1, when the second memory system A30simultaneously uses the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2according to the second external channel control information CH_INFO2,an influence may be exerted on each of the first memory system A20 andthe second memory system A30. Therefore, the read requests READ_REQ<4:5>to the first memory system A20 and the read requests READ REQ<6:7> tothe second memory system A30 cannot be performed within the preset time.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7 fromthe second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a sixth time T6 having a difference equal to or longer thanthe preset time from the fifth time T5, according to the read requestREAD_REQ6 from the host A10, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the first memory systemA20 through the internal channel CH_INT.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the sixth data DATA6from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ_REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6 loaded in thesecond internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In this way, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7to be transferred to the first memory system A20 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the sixth data DATA6 to be outputted to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2, from the secondnonvolatile memory device A31.

After receiving the seventh data DATA7 inputted from the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT at the sixth time T6, tothe first internal bus IN_BUS1, the first memory system A20 outputs theseventh data DATA7 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the hostA10 through the first external channel CH1.

For reference, in FIG. 5D, after the sixth data DATA6 is outputted tothe host A10 through the second external channel CH2 from the secondmemory system A30, the seventh data DATA7 is outputted to the host Allthrough the first external channel CH1 from the first memory system A20.However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in an overlappingform, and in practice, the sixth and seventh data DATA6 and DATA? areoutputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

For reference, in the drawing, the sixth time T6 is a time that is laterby at least the preset time than the fifth time T5. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the seventhtime T7 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset time than thefourth time T4. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance thatthe difference between each of the sixth and seventh times T6 and T7 andeach of the fourth and fifth times T4 and T5 is equal to or longer thanthe preset time, even in the case where the seventh time T7 is a timethat is earlier by at least the preset time than the fourth time T4, thehost A10 may transfer the first external channel control informationCH_INFO1 for allowing the first memory system A20 to select thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2,to the first and second memory systems A20 and A30, and may transfer thesecond external channel control information CH_INFO2 for allowing thesecond memory system A30 to select the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2, to the first and second memorysystems A20 and A30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5E, when issuing read requests READREQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the first memorysystem A20, the host A10 may enter the first sole transfer mode or thefirst simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of the firstexternal channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2. Moreover, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<6:7> for sixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 to the secondmemory system A30, the host A10 may enter the second sole transfer modeor the second simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of thesecond external channel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the first memory system A20, the read requests READ_REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thesecond memory system A30 within the preset time.

Therefore, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5>for the fourthdata DATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, thehost A10 may enter the first sole transfer mode to allow the firstmemory system A20 to select the sole use of the first external channelCH1. The host A10 includes an information notifying the entry to thefirst sole transfer mode, in the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> to betransferred to the first memory system A20, in the form of context. Inaddition, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixthdata DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30,the host A10 may enter the second sole transfer mode to allow the secondmemory system A30 to select the sole use of the second external channelCH2. The host A10 includes an information notifying the entry to thesecond sole transfer mode, in the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> to betransferred to the second memory system A30, in the form of context.

In the state in which the entry to the first sole transfer mode is made,the first memory system A20 does not transfer data to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. Thus, regardless ofwhether or not it is a state in which the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made, no influence is exerted on the operation of thesecond memory system A30. Due to this fact, as shown in FIG. 5E, thefirst memory system A20 does not transfer the information transferredfrom the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made, to the second memory system A30.

Similarly, in the state in which the entry to the second sole transfermode is made, the second memory system A30 does not transfer data to thefirst memory system A20 through the internal channel CH_INT. Thus,regardless of whether or not it is state in which the entry to thesecond sole transfer mode is made, no influence is exerted on theoperation of the first memory system A20. Due to this fact, as shown inFIG. 5E, the second memory system A30 does not transfer the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the secondsole transfer mode is made, to the first memory system A20.

The first memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10 has enteredthe first sole transfer mode, according to the information transferredfrom the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made. That is, the first memory system A20 may be awarethat the host A10 has selected the sole use of the first externalchannel CH1, when transferring the data read from the first memorysystem A20, to the host A10.

Similarly, the second memory system A30 may be aware that the host A10has entered the second sole transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the secondsole transfer mode is made. That is, the second memory system A30 may beaware that the host A10 has selected the sole use of the second externalchannel CH2, when transferring the data read from the second memorysystem A30, to the host A10.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the fourth data DATA4 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN-BUS1, to the host A10.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ_REQ5 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in the firstinternal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30 within the presettime.

Due to first memory system A20 is solely using the first externalchannel CH1 according to the entry to the first sole transfer mode, noinfluence is exerted on each of the first memory system A20 and thesecond memory system A30 when the second memory system A30 solely usesthe second external channel CH2 according to the entry to the secondsole transfer mode. Therefore, the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> to thefirst memory system A20 and the read requests READ REQ<6:7> to thesecond memory system A30 may be performed within the preset time.

When solely using the first external channel CH1 according to the entryto the first sole transfer mode, the first memory system A20 may openthe first internal bus IN_BUS1 and the internal channel CH_INT toprevent the data loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1 frominterfering with the second internal bus IN_BUS2 of the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT.

Similarly, when solely using the second external channel CH2 accordingto the entry to the second sole transfer mode, the second memory systemA30 may open the second internal bus IN_BUS2 and the internal channelCH_INT to prevent the data loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2from interfering with the first internal bus IN_BUS1 of the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the sixth data DATA6 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a sixth time T6 having a difference within the preset time from thefifth time T5, according to the read request READ_REQ6 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6 loaded in the secondinternal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN. BUS2 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ_REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7 loaded inthe second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the sixth time T6 is a time that is laterwithin the preset time than the fifth time T5. However, this is nothingbut a mere example, and it can be envisaged all the way that the seventhtime T7 is a time that is earlier within the preset time than the fourthtime T4. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance that thedifference between each of the sixth and seventh times T6 and T7 andeach of the fourth and fifth times T4 and T5 is within the preset time,even in the case where the seventh time T7 is a time that is earlierwithin the preset time than the fourth time T4, the host A10 may enterthe first sole transfer mode to allow the first memory system A20 toselect the sole use of the first external channel CH1, and may enter thesecond sole transfer mode to allow the second memory system A30 toselect the sole use of the second external channel CH2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5F, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 may enter the first sole transfer modeor the first simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of thefirst external channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2. Moreover, when issuing readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> for sixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 tothe second memory system A30, the host A10 may enter the second soletransfer mode or the second simultaneous transfer mode to select thesole use of the second external channel CH2 or the simultaneous use ofthe first and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the first memory system A20, the read requests READ_REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thesecond memory system A30 at a time when a time equal to or longer thanthe preset time has elapsed.

Thus, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth dataDATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the hostA10 may enter the first simultaneous transfer mode to allow the firstmemory system A20 to select the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2. The host A10 includes an informationnotifying the entry to the first simultaneous transfer mode, in the readrequests READ_REQ<4:5> to be transferred to the first memory system A20,in the form of context. In addition, when issuing the read requestsREAD_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to thesecond memory system A30, the host A10 may enter the second soletransfer mode to allow the second memory system A30 to select the soleuse of the second external channel CH2. The host A10 includes aninformation notifying the entry to the second sole transfer mode, in theread requests READ_REQ<6:7> to be transferred to the second memorysystem A30, in the form of context.

In the state in which the entry to the first simultaneous transfer modeis made, the first memory system A20 transfers data to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. Due to this fact, thesecond memory system A30 receives data from the first memory system A20through the internal channel CH_INT in the state in which it enters thefirst simultaneous transfer mode. As shown in FIG. 5F, the first memorysystem A20 transfers the information transferred from the host A10 andnotifying that the entry to the first simultaneous transfer mode ismade, to the second memory system A30 through the internal channelCH_INT.

In the state in which the entry to the second sole transfer mode ismade, the second memory system A30 does not transfer data to the firstmemory system A20 through the internal channel CH_INT. Thus, regardlessof whether or not it is a state in which the entry to the second soletransfer mode is made, no influence is exerted on the operation of thefirst memory system A20. Due to this fact, as shown in FIG. 5F, thesecond memory system A30 does not transfer the information transferredfrom the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the second soletransfer mode is made, to the first memory system A20.

The first memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10 has enteredthe first simultaneous transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the firstsimultaneous transfer mode is made. That is, the first memory system A20may be aware that the host A10 has selected the simultaneous use of thefirst and second external channels CH1 and CH2, when transferring thedata read from the first memory system A20, to the host A10. The secondmemory system A30 may be aware that the host A10 has entered the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, according to the information transferredfrom the first memory system A20 and notifying that the entry to thefirst simultaneous transfer mode is made. That is, each of the first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30 may be aware that the host A10 hasselected the simultaneous use of the first and second external channelsCH1 and CH2 to receive the data read from the first memory system A20.

Similarly, the second memory system A30 may be aware that the host A10has entered the second sole transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the secondsole transfer mode is made. That is, the second memory system A30 may beaware that the host A10 has selected the sole use of the second externalchannel CH2, when transferring the data read from the second memorysystem A30, to the host A10.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the fourth data DATA4from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ_REQ5 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In this way, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 tobe transferred to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the fourth data DATA4 to be outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1, from the firstnonvolatile memory device A21.

After receiving the fifth data DATA5 inputted from the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT at the fourth time T4, tothe second internal bus IN_BUS2, the second memory system A30 outputsthe fifth data DATA5 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2.

For reference, in FIG. 5F, after the fourth data DATA4 is outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1 from the firstmemory system A20, the fifth data DATA5 is outputted to the host A10through the second external channel CH2 from the second memory systemA30. However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in anoverlapping form, and in practice, the fourth and fifth data DATA4 andDATA5 are outputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30 after a time equal toor longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Since the first memory system A20 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the entry to the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, an influence may be exerted on each of thefirst memory system A20 and the second memory system A30 when the secondmemory system A30 solely uses the second external channel CH2 accordingto the entry to the second sole transfer mode. Therefore, the readrequests READ_REQ<4:5> to the first memory system A20 and the readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> to the second memory system A30 cannot beperformed within the preset time.

When solely using the second external channel CH2 according to the entryto the second sole transfer mode, the second memory system A30 opens thetransfer of data from the second internal bus IN_BUS2 to the internalchannel CH_INT to prevent the data loaded in the second internal busIN_BUS2 from interfering with the first internal bus IN_BUS1 of thefirst memory system A20 through the internal channel CH_INT. However,since the second memory system A30 has to be able to normally receivedata from the first memory system A20, the second memory system A30closes the transfer of data from the internal channel CH_INT to thesecond internal bus IN_BUS2.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the sixth data DATA6 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_BUS2at a sixth time T6 having a difference equal to or longer than thepreset time from the fifth time T5, according to the read requestREAD_REQ6 from the host A10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ_REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7 loaded inthe second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the sixth time T6 is a time that is laterby at least the preset time than the fifth time T5. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the seventhtime T7 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset time than thefourth time T4. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance thatthe difference between each of the sixth and seventh times T6 and T7 andeach of the fourth and fifth times T4 and T5 is equal to or longer thanthe preset time, even in the case where the seventh time T7 is a timethat is earlier by at least the preset time than the fourth time T4, thehost A10 may enter the first simultaneous transfer mode to allow thefirst memory system A20 to select the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2, and may enter the second soletransfer mode to allow the second memory system A30 to select the soleuse of the second external channel CH2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5G, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the secondmemory system A30, the host A10 may enter the second sole transfer modeor the second simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of thesecond external channel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2. Moreover, when issuing readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> for sixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 tothe first memory system A20, the host A10 may enter the first soletransfer mode or the first simultaneous transfer mode to select the soleuse of the first external channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of thefirst and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the second memory system A30, the read requests READ_REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thefirst memory system A20 at a time when a time equal to or longer thanthe preset time has elapsed.

Thus, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth dataDATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the second memory system A30, the hostA10 may enter the second simultaneous transfer mode to allow the secondmemory system A30 to select the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2. The host A10 includes an informationnotifying the entry to the second simultaneous transfer mode, in theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> to be transferred to the second memorysystem A30, in the form of context. In addition, when issuing the readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh dataDATA7 to the first memory system A20, the host A10 may enter the firstsole transfer mode to allow the first memory system A20 to select thesole use of the first external channel CH1. The host A10 includes aninformation notifying the entry to the first sole transfer mode, in theread requests READ_REQ<6:7> to be transferred to the first memory systemA20, in the form of context.

In the state in which the entry to the second simultaneous transfer modeis made, the second memory system A30 transfers data to the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT. Due to this fact, thefirst memory system A20 receives data from the second memory system A30through the internal channel CH_INT in the state in which it enters thesecond simultaneous transfer mode. As shown in FIG. 5G, the secondmemory system A30 transfers the information transferred from the hostA10 and notifying that the entry to the second simultaneous transfermode is made, to the first memory system A20 through the internalchannel CH_INT.

In the state in which the entry to the first sole transfer mode is made,the first memory system A20 does not transfer data to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. Thus, regardless ofwhether or not it is a state in which the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made, no influence is exerted on the operation of thesecond memory system A30. Due to this fact, as shown in FIG. 5G, thefirst memory system A20 does not transfer the information transferredfrom the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the first soletransfer mode is made, to the second memory system A30.

The second memory system A30 may be aware that the host A10 has enteredthe second simultaneous transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the secondsimultaneous transfer mode is made. That is, the second memory systemA30 may be aware that the host A10 has selected the simultaneous use ofthe first and second external channels CH1 and CH2, when transferringthe data read from the second memory system A30, to the host A10. Thefirst memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10 has entered thesecond simultaneous transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the second memory system A30 and notifying that theentry to the second simultaneous transfer mode is made. That is, each ofthe first and second memory systems A20 and A30 may be aware that thehost A10 has selected the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2 to receive the data read from the secondmemory system A30.

Similarly, the first memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10has entered the first sole transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the firstsole transfer mode is made. That is, the first memory system A20 may beaware that the host A10 has selected the sole use of the first externalchannel CH1, when transferring the data read from the first memorysystem A20, to the host A10.

Thus, the second memory system A30 reads the fifth data DATA5 from thesecond nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal bus IN_(—)BUS2 at a fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in thesecond internal bus IN_BUS2, to the first memory system A20 through theinternal channel CH_INT.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the fourth data DATA4from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ-REQS fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in thesecond internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In this way, the second memory system A30 reads the fifth data DATA5 tobe transferred to the first memory system A20 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the fourth data DATA4 to be outputted tothe host A10 through the second external channel CH2, from the secondnonvolatile memory device A31.

After receiving the fifth data DATA5 inputted from the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT at the fourth time T4, tothe first internal bus IN_BUS1, the first memory system A20 outputs thefifth data DATA5 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the hostA10 through the first external channel CH1.

For reference, in FIG. 5G, after the fourth data DATA4 is outputted tothe host A10 through the second external channel CH2 from the secondmemory system A30, the fifth data DATA5 is outputted to the host MOthrough the first external channel CH1 from the first memory system A20.However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in an overlappingform, and in practice, the fourth and fifth data DATA4 and DATA5 areoutputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the second memory system A30, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the first memory system A20 after a time equal toor longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Since the second memory system A30 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the entry to thesecond simultaneous transfer mode, an influence may be exerted on eachof the first memory system A20 and the second memory system A30 when thefirst memory system A20 solely uses the first external channel CH1according to the entry to the first sole transfer mode. Therefore, theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> to the second memory system A30 and the readrequests READ_REQ<6:7> to the first memory system A20 cannot beperformed within the preset time.

When solely using the first external channel CH1 according to the entryto the first sole transfer mode, the first memory system A20 opens thetransfer of data from the first internal bus IN_BUS1 to the internalchannel CH_INT to prevent the data loaded in the first internal busIN_BUS1 from interfering with the second internal bus IN_BUS2 of thesecond memory system A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. However,since the first memory system A20 has to be able to normally receivedata from the second memory system A30, the first memory system A20closes the transfer of data from the internal channel CH_INT to thefirst internal bus INBUS1.

Hence, the first memory system A20 reads the sixth data DATA6 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata sixth time T6 having a difference equal to or longer than the presettime from the fifth time T5, according to the read request READ_REQ6from the host A10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the seventh data DATA7from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ_REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7 loaded inthe first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

For reference, in the drawing, the sixth time T6 is a time that is laterby at least the preset time than the fifth time T5. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the seventhtime T7 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset time than thefourth time T4. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance thatthe difference between each of the sixth and seventh times T6 and T7 andeach of the fourth and fifth times T4 and T5 is equal to or longer thanthe preset time, even in the case where the seventh time T7 is a timethat is earlier by at least the preset time than the fourth time T4, thehost A10 may enter the second simultaneous transfer mode to allow thesecond memory system A30 to select the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2, and may enter the first soletransfer mode to allow the first memory system A20 to select the soleuse of the first external channel CH1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B and 5H, when issuing read requestsREAD_REQ<4:5> for fourth data DATA4 and fifth data DATA5 to the firstmemory system A20, the host A10 may enter the first sole transfer modeor the first simultaneous transfer mode to select the sole use of thefirst external channel CH1 or the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2. Moreover, when issuing readrequests READ REQ<6:7> for sixth data DATA6 and seventh data DATA7 tothe second memory system A30, the host A10 may enter the second soletransfer mode or the second simultaneous transfer mode to select thesole use of the second external channel CH2 or the simultaneous use ofthe first and second external channels CH1 and CH2.

The host A10 schedules in advance which operation is to be requested toeach of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30. Due to thisfact, the host A10 may be aware that it scheduled, after issuing theread requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4 and the fifth dataDATA5 to the first memory system A20, the read requests READ_REQ<6:7>for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to be sent to thesecond memory system A30 at a time when a time equal to or longer thanthe preset time has elapsed.

Thus, when issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth dataDATA4 and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the hostA10 may enter the first simultaneous transfer mode to allow the firstmemory system A20 to select the simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels CH1 and CH2. The host A10 includes an informationnotifying the entry to the first simultaneous transfer mode, in the readrequests READ_REQ<4:5> to be transferred to the first memory system A20,in the form of context. In addition, when issuing the read requestsREAD_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and the seventh data DATA7 to thesecond memory system A30, the host A10 may enter the second simultaneoustransfer mode to allow the second memory system A30 to select thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2.The host A10 includes an information notifying the entry to the secondsimultaneous transfer mode, in the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> to betransferred to the second memory system A30, in the form of context.

In the state in which the entry to the first simultaneous transfer modeis made, the first memory system A20 transfers data to the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT. Due to this fact, thesecond memory system A30 receives data from the first memory system A20through the internal channel CH_INT in the state in which it enters thefirst simultaneous transfer mode. As shown in FIG. 5H, the first memorysystem A20 transfers the information transferred from the host A10 andnotifying that the entry to the first simultaneous transfer mode ismade, to the second memory system A30 through the internal channelCH_INT.

In the state in which the entry to the second simultaneous transfer modeis made, the second memory system A30 transfers data to the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT. Due to this fact, thefirst memory system A20 receives data from the second memory system A30through the internal channel CH_INT in the state in which it enters thesecond simultaneous transfer mode. As shown in FIG. 5H, the secondmemory system A30 transfers the information transferred from the hostA10 and notifying that the entry to the second simultaneous transfermode is made, to the first memory system A20 through the internalchannel CH_INT.

The first memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10 has enteredthe first simultaneous transfer mode, according to the informationtransferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entry to the firstsimultaneous transfer mode is made. That is, the first memory system A20may be aware that the host A10 has selected the simultaneous use of thefirst and second external channels CH1 and CH2, when transferring thedata read from the first memory system A20, to the host A10. The secondmemory system A30 may be aware that the host A10 has entered the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, according to the information transferredfrom the first memory system A20 and notifying that the entry to thefirst simultaneous transfer mode is made. That is, each of the first andsecond memory systems A20 and A30 may be aware that the host A10 hasselected the simultaneous use of the first and second external channelsCH1 and CH2 to receive the data read from the first memory system A20.

Similarly, the second memory system A30 may be aware that the host A10has entered the second simultaneous transfer mode, according to theinformation transferred from the host A10 and notifying that the entryto the second simultaneous transfer mode is made. That is, the secondmemory system A30 may be aware that the host A10 has selected thesimultaneous use of the first and second external channels CH1 and CH2,when transferring the data read from the second memory system A30, tothe host A10. The first memory system A20 may be aware that the host A10has entered the second simultaneous transfer mode, according to theinformation transferred from the second memory system A30 and notifyingthat the entry to the second simultaneous transfer mode is made. Thatis, each of the first and second memory systems A20 and A30 may be awarethat the host A10 has selected the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 to receive the data read from thesecond memory system A30.

Thus, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 from thefirst nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 ata fourth time T4 according to the read request READ_REQ4 from the hostA10, and then, outputs the fifth data DATA5 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT.

In succession, the first memory system A20 reads the fourth data DATA4from the first nonvolatile memory device A21 to the first internal busIN_BUS1 at a fifth time T5 according to the read request READ_REQ5 fromthe host A10, and then, outputs the fourth data DATA4 loaded in thefirst internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10.

In this way, the first memory system A20 reads the fifth data DATA5 tobe transferred to the second memory system A30 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the fourth data DATA4 to be outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1, from the firstnonvolatile memory device A21.

After receiving the fifth data DATA5 inputted from the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT at the fourth time T4, tothe second internal bus IN_BUS2, the second memory system A30 outputsthe fifth data DATA5 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2.

For reference, in FIG. 5H, after the fourth data DATA4 is outputted tothe host A10 through the first external channel CH1 from the firstmemory system A20, the fifth data DATA5 is outputted to the host A10through the second external channel CH2 from the second memory systemA30. However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in anoverlapping form, and in practice, the fourth and fifth data DATA4 andDATA5 are outputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

After issuing the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> for the fourth data DATA4and the fifth data DATA5 to the first memory system A20, the host A10issues the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> for the sixth data DATA6 and theseventh data DATA7 to the second memory system A30 after a time equal toor longer than the preset time has elapsed.

Since the first memory system A20 is simultaneously using the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2 according to the entry to the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, an influence may be exerted on each of thefirst memory system A20 and the second memory system A30 when the secondmemory system A30 simultaneously uses the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2 according to the entry to the second simultaneoustransfer mode. Therefore, the read requests READ_REQ<4:5> to the firstmemory system A20 and the read requests READ_REQ<6:7> to the secondmemory system A30 cannot be performed within the preset time.

Hence, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7 fromthe second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a sixth time T6 having a difference equal to or longer thanthe preset time from the fifth time T5, according to the read requestREAD_REQ6 from the host An, and then, outputs the seventh data DATA7loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the first memory systemA20 through the internal channel CH_INT.

In succession, the second memory system A30 reads the sixth data DATA6from the second nonvolatile memory device A31 to the second internal busIN_BUS2 at a seventh time T7 according to the read request READ_REQ7from the host A10, and then, outputs the sixth data DATA6 loaded in thesecond internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10.

In this way, the second memory system A30 reads the seventh data DATA7to be transferred to the first memory system A20 through the internalchannel CH_INT, earlier than the sixth data DATA6 to be outputted to thehost A10 through the second external channel CH2, from the secondnonvolatile memory device A31.

After receiving the seventh data DATA7 inputted from the second memorysystem A30 through the internal channel CH_INT at the sixth time T6, tothe first internal bus IN_BUS1, the first memory system A20 outputs theseventh data DATA7 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the hostA10 through the first external channel CH1.

For reference, in FIG. 5H, after the sixth data DATA6 is outputted tothe host A10 through the second external channel CH2 from the secondmemory system A30, the seventh data DATA7 is outputted to the host A10through the first external channel CH1 from the first memory system A20.However, this is only in order not to show the drawing in an overlappingform, and in practice, the sixth and seventh data DATA6 and DATA7 areoutputted to the host A10 at substantially the same time.

For reference, in the drawing, the sixth time T6 is a time that is laterby at least the preset time than the fifth time T5. However, this isnothing but a mere example, and it can be envisaged that the seventhtime T7 is a time that is earlier by at least the preset time than thefourth time T4. Namely, since the host A10 may schedule in advance thatthe difference between each of the sixth and seventh times T6 and T7 andeach of the fourth and fifth times T4 and T5 is equal to or longer thanthe preset time, even in the case where the seventh time T7 is a timethat is earlier by at least the preset time than the fourth time T4, thehost A10 may enter the first simultaneous transfer mode to allow thefirst memory system A20 to select the simultaneous use of the first andsecond external channels CH1 and CH2, and may enter the secondsimultaneous transfer mode to allow the second memory system A30 toselect the simultaneous use of the first and second external channelsCH1 and CH2.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts of another operation of the dataprocessing system including the plurality of memory systems A20 and A30in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, as described above with reference to FIGS.5A to 5H, the first memory system A20 and the second memory system A30do not have a master-slave relationship.

Therefore, in FIG. 6A, when a read request of the host A10 to the firstmemory system A20 is sent, an operation of determining whether the readrequest includes a plurality of successive read requests is performed(L110). Conversely, in FIG. 6B, when a read is request of the host A10to the second memory system A30 is sent, an operation of determiningwhether the read request includes a plurality of successive readrequests is performed (L210).

Referring to FIG. 6A, in the case where, as a result of thedetermination at step L110, the read request of the host A10 to thefirst memory system A20 is a read request for one data DATA4 (NO at stepL110), the first memory system A20 reads the one data DATA4read-requested from the host A10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 fromthe first nonvolatile memory device A21, and then outputs the data DATA4loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10 through thefirst external channel CH1 (L120). Thereafter,the process may end.

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step L110, theread request of the host A10 to the first memory system A20 includes aplurality of successive read requests for a plurality of data DATA4 andDATA5 (YES at step L110), the first memory system A20 determines whetherthe plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested by the host A10should be outputted through only the first external channel CH1 orshould be outputted simultaneously through the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2 (L130).

By checking the first external channel control information CH_INFO1transferred separately from the read request from the host A10, it ispossible to determine whether the sole use of the first external channelCH1 or the simultaneous use of the first and second external channelsCH1 and CH2 is selected as described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D.

Also, by checking information included in the form of context in theread request from the host A10, it is possible to determine whether thehost A10 has entered the first sole transfer mode or the firstsimultaneous transfer mode as described with reference to FIGS. 5E to5H.

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step L130, theplurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested by the host A10 shouldbe outputted through only the first external channel CH1 (YES at stepL130), the first memory system A20 reads any one data (e.g, data DATA4)among the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested from the hostA10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 from the first nonvolatile memorydevice A21, and then outputs the data DATA4 loaded in the first internalbus IN_BUS1, to the host A10 through the first external channel CH1(L140).

Then, the first memory system A20 reads the remaining data DATA5 notoutputted at the step L140 between the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5read-requested from the host A10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 fromthe first nonvolatile memory device A21, and then, outputs the dataDATA5 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10 throughthe first external channel CH1 (L150).

Since the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested from the hostA10 are two pieces of data, the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 may besequentially outputted to the host A10 through the two steps L140 andL150. If a plurality of data read-requested from the host A10 is morethan two pieces of data, the plurality of data may be sequentiallyoutputted to the host A10 through more than two steps.

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step L130, theplurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested by the host A10 shouldbe simultaneously outputted through the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2 (NO at step L130), the first memory system A20reads any (e.g, data DATA5) among the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5read-requested from the host A10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 fromthe first nonvolatile memory device A21, and then outputs the data DATA5loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the second memory systemA30 through the internal channel CH_INT (L160).

Then, the first memory system A20 reads the remaining data DATA4 notoutputted at the step L160 between the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5read-requested from the host A10, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1 fromthe first nonvolatile memory device A21, and then, outputs the dataDATA1 loaded in the first internal bus IN_BUS1, to the host A10 throughthe first external channel CH1 (L170),

Furthermore, in succession to the step L160, the second memory systemA30 receives the data DATA5 inputted from the first memory system A20through the internal channel CH_INT, to the second internal bus IN_BUS2,and then, outputs the data DATA5 loaded in the second internal busIN_BUS2, to the host A10 through the second external channel CH2 (L180).

Referring to FIG. 6B, in the case where, as a result of thedetermination at step L210, the read request of the host A10 to thesecond memory system A30 is a read request for one data DATA4 (NO atstep L210), the second memory system A30 reads the one data DATA4read-requested from the host A10, to the second internal bus IN_BUS2from the second nonvolatile memory device A31, and then outputs the dataDATA4 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10 throughthe second external channel CH2 (L220).

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step L210, theread request of the host A10 to the second memory system A30 includes aplurality of successive read requests for a plurality of data DATA4 andDATA5 (YES at step L210), the second memory system A30 determineswhether the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested by the hostA10 should be outputted through only the second external channel CH2 orshould be outputted simultaneously through the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2 (L230),

By checking the second external channel control information CH_INFO2transferred separately from the read request from the host A10, it ispossible to determine whether the sole use of the second externalchannel CH2 or the simultaneous use of the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2 is selected as described with reference to FIGS. 5Ato 5D.

Also, by checking an information included in the form of context in theread request from the host A10, it is possible to determine whether thehost A10 has entered the second sole transfer mode or the secondsimultaneous transfer mode as described with reference to FIGS. 5E to5H.

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step L230, theplurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested by the host A10 shouldbe outputted through only the second external channel CH2 (YES at stepL230), the second memory system A30 reads any one data (e.g., dataDATA4) among the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested fromthe host A10, to the second internal bus IN_BUS2 from the secondnonvolatile memory device A31, and then outputs the data DATA4 loaded inthe second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10 through the secondexternal channel CH2 (L240).

Then, the second memory system A30 reads the remaining data DATA5 notoutputted at the step L240 between the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5read-requested from the host A10, to the second internal bus IN_BUS2from the second nonvolatile memory device A31, and then, outputs thedata DATA5 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10through the second external channel CH2 (L250).

Since the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested from the hostA10 are two pieces of data, the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 may besequentially outputted to the host A10 through the two steps L240 andL250. If a plurality of data read-requested from the host A10 is morethan two pieces of data, the plurality of data may be sequentiallyoutputted to the host A10 through more than two steps.

In the case where, as a result of the determination at step L230, theplurality of data DATA4 and DATA5 read-requested by the host A10 shouldbe simultaneously outputted through the first and second externalchannels CH1 and CH2 (NO at step L230), the second memory system A30reads any (e.g., data DATA5) among the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5read-requested from the host A10, to the second internal bus IN_BUS2from the second nonvolatile memory device A31, and then outputs the dataDATA5 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the first memorysystem A20 through the internal channel CH_INT (L260).

Then, the second memory system A30 reads the remaining data DATA4 notoutputted at the step L260 between the plurality of data DATA4 and DATA5read-requested from the host A10, to the second internal bus IN_BUS2from the second nonvolatile memory device A31, and then, outputs thedata DATA4 loaded in the second internal bus IN_BUS2, to the host A10through the second external channel CH2 (L270).

Furthermore, in succession to the step L260, the first memory system A20receives the data DATA5 inputted from the second memory system A30through the internal channel CH_INT, to the first internal bus IN_BUS1,and then, outputs the data DATA5 loaded in the first internal busIN_BUS1, to the host A10 through the first external channel CH1 (L280).

Although various embodiments have been described for illustrativepurposes, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data processing system comprising: a firstmemory system including a first nonvolatile memory device and coupled toa host through a first external channel; a second memory systemincluding a second nonvolatile memory device and coupled to the hostthrough a second external channel; and an internal channel suitable forcoupling the first and second memory systems with each other, whereinthe host, when read-requesting first and second data to the first memorysystem, transfers a first external channel control information forselecting sole use of the first external channel or simultaneous use ofthe first and second external channels, to the first and second memorysystems, wherein the first memory system, when the first externalchannel control information indicates simultaneous use, outputs thefirst data to the host through the first external channel and outputsthe second data to the second memory system through the internalchannel, and wherein the second memory system, when the first externalchannel control information indicates simultaneous use, outputs thesecond data inputted from the first memory system through the internalchannel, to the host through the second external channel.
 2. The dataprocessing system according to claim, wherein the first memory system,when the first external channel control information indicatessimultaneous use, reads the second data from the first nonvolatilememory device to a first internal bus at a first time and outputs thesecond data loaded in the first internal bus, to the second memorysystem through the internal channel, and reads the first data to thefirst internal bus at a second time subsequent to the first time andoutputs the first data loaded in the first internal bus, to the hostthrough the first external channel, and when the first external channelcontrol information indicates simultaneous use, reads the first datafrom the first nonvolatile memory device to the first internal bus atthe first time and outputs the first data loaded in the first internalbus, to the host through the first external channel, and reads thesecond data to the first internal bus at the second time and outputs thesecond data loaded in the first internal bus, to the host through thefirst external channel.
 3. The data processing system according to claim2, wherein the second memory system, when the first external channelcontrol information indicates sole use at a third time earlier than thefirst time or later than the second time, reads third data from thesecond nonvolatile memory device to a second internal bus and outputsthe third data to the host through the second external channel, and whenthe first external channel control information indicates simultaneoususe, receives the second data inputted through the internal channel atthe first time, to the second internal bus, and outputs the second datato the host through the second external channel.
 4. The data processingsystem according to claim 3, wherein the first memory system, when thefirst external channel control information indicates sole use, opens thefirst internal bus and the internal channel.
 5. The data processingsystem according to claim 4, wherein the host, when a read or writerequest to the second memory system is not scheduled for at least apreset time from a time when read-requesting the first and second datato the first memory system, transfers the first external channel controlinformation for selecting simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels, to the first and second memory systems.
 6. The dataprocessing system according to claim 3, wherein the host, whenread-requesting fourth and fifth data to the second memory system,transfers a second external channel control information for selectingsole use of the second external channel or simultaneous use of the firstand second external channels, to the first and second memory systems,the second memory system, when the second external channel controlinformation indicates a simultaneous use, outputs the fourth data to thehost through the second external channel, and outputs the fifth data tothe first memory system through the internal channel, and the firstmemory system, when the second external channel control informationindicates simultaneous use, outputs the fifth data inputted from thesecond memory system through the internal channel, to the host throughthe first external channel.
 7. The data processing system according toclaim 6, wherein the second memory system, when the second externalchannel control information indicates simultaneous use, reads the fifthdata from the second nonvolatile memory device to the second internalbus at a fourth time and outputs the fifth data loaded in the secondinternal bus, to the first memory system through the internal channel,and reads the fourth data at a fifth time subsequent to the fourth timeand outputs the fourth data loaded in the second internal bus, to thehost through the second external channel, when the second externalchannel control information indicates sole use, reads the fourth datafrom the second nonvolatile memory device to the second internal bus atthe fourth time and outputs the fourth data loaded in the secondinternal bus, to the host through the second external channel, and readsthe fifth data to the second internal bus at the fifth time and outputsthe fifth data loaded in the second internal bus, to the host throughthe second external channel; and the first and second times and thefourth and fifth times do not overlap with each other.
 8. The dataprocessing system according to claim 7, wherein the first memory system,when the second external channel control information indicates sole useat a sixth time earlier than the fourth time or later than the fifthtime, reads sixth data from the first nonvolatile memory device to thefirst internal bus and outputs the sixth data to the host through thefirst external channel, when the second external channel controlinformation indicates simultaneous use, receives the fifth data inputtedthrough the internal channel at the fourth time, to the first internalbus, and outputs the fifth data to the host through the first externalchannel, and the first to third times and the fourth to sixth times donot overlap with each other.
 9. The data processing system according toclaim 8, wherein the first memory system, when the first externalchannel control information indicates sole use, opens transfer of datafrom the first internal bus to the internal channel, and closes transferof data from the internal channel to the first internal bus, and thesecond memory system, when the second external channel controlinformation indicates sole use, opens transfer of data from the secondinternal bus to the internal channel, and closes transfer of data fromthe internal channel to the second internal bus.
 10. The data processingsystem according to claim 9, wherein the host, when a read or writerequest to the second memory system is not scheduled for at least apreset time from a time when read-requesting the first and second datato the first memory system, transfers the first external channel controlinformation for selecting simultaneous use of the first and secondexternal channels, to the first and second memory systems, and when aread or write request to the first memory system is not scheduled for atleast the preset time from a time when read-requesting the fourth andfifth data to the second memory system, transfers the second externalchannel control information for selecting simultaneous use of the firstand second external channels, to the first and second memory systems.11. A data processing system comprising: a first memory system includinga first nonvolatile memory device and coupled to a host through a firstexternal channel; a second memory system including a second nonvolatilememory device and coupled to the host through a second external channel;and an internal channel suitable for coupling the first and secondmemory systems with each other, wherein the first memory system, whenreceiving read requests for first and second data from the host, outputsthe first data to the host through the first external channel andoutputs the second data to the second memory system through the internalchannel, in a first simultaneous transfer mode that is entered by thehost, and outputs the first and second data to the host through thefirst external channel in a first sole transfer mode that is entered bythe host, and wherein the second memory system, in the firstsimultaneous transfer mode, outputs the second data inputted from thefirst memory system through the internal channel, to the host throughthe second external channel.
 12. The data processing system according toclaim 11, wherein the first memory system, when the first simultaneoustransfer mode is entered, according to read requests from the host,reads the second data from the first nonvolatile memory device to afirst internal bus at a first time and outputs the second data loaded inthe first internal bus, to the second memory system through the internalchannel, and reads the first data to the first internal bus at a secondtime subsequent to the first time and outputs the first data loaded inthe first internal bus, to the host through the first external channel,and when the first sole transfer mode is entered, according to readrequests from the host, reads the first data from the first nonvolatilememory device to the first internal bus at the first time and outputsthe first data loaded in the first internal bus, to the host through thefirst external channel, and reads the second data to the first internalbus at the second time and outputs the second data loaded in the firstinternal bus, to the host through the first external channel.
 13. Thedata processing system according to claim 12, wherein the second memorysystem, when the first sole transfer mode is entered, at a third timeearlier than the first time or later than the second time, according toa read request from the host, reads third data from the secondnonvolatile memory device to a second internal bus and outputs the thirddata to the host through the second external channel, and when the firstsimultaneous transfer mode is entered, receives the second data inputtedthrough the internal channel at the first time, to the second internalbus, and outputs the second data to the host through the second externalchannel.
 14. The data processing system according to claim 13, whereinthe first memory system, in the first sole transfer mode, opens thefirst internal bus and the internal channel.
 15. The data processingsystem according to claim 14, wherein the host, when a read or writerequest to the second memory system is not scheduled for at least apreset time from a time when read-requesting the first and second datato the first memory system, enters the first simultaneous transfer mode.16. The data processing system according to claim 13, wherein the secondmemory system, when receiving read requests for fourth and fifth datafrom the host, outputs the fourth data to the host through the secondexternal channel and outputs the fifth data to the first memory systemthrough the internal channel, in a second simultaneous transfer modethat is entered by the host, and outputs the fourth and fifth data tothe host through the second external channel in a second sole transfermode that is entered by the host, and the first memory system, in thesecond simultaneous transfer mode, outputs the fifth data inputted fromthe second memory system through the internal channel, to the hostthrough the first external channel.
 17. The data processing systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the second memory system, when the secondsimultaneous transfer mode is entered, according to read requests fromthe host, reads the fifth data from the second nonvolatile memory deviceto the second internal bus at a fourth time and outputs the fifth dataloaded in the second internal bus, to the first memory system throughthe internal channel, and reads the fourth data at a fifth timesubsequent to the fourth time and outputs the fourth data loaded in thesecond internal bus, to the host through the second external channel,when the second sole transfer mode is entered, according to readrequests from the host, reads the fourth data from the secondnonvolatile memory device to the second internal bus at the fourth timeand outputs the fourth data loaded in the second internal bus, to thehost through the second external channel, and reads the fifth data tothe second internal bus at the fifth time and outputs the fifth dataloaded in the second internal bus, to the host through the secondexternal channel, and the first and second times and the fourth andfifth times do not overlap with each other.
 18. The data processingsystem according to claim 17, wherein the first memory system, when thesecond sole transfer mode is entered, at a sixth time earlier than thefourth time or later than the fifth time, according to a read requestfrom the host, reads sixth data from the first nonvolatile memory deviceto the first internal bus and outputs the sixth data to the host throughthe first external channel, when the second simultaneous transfer modeis entered, receives the fifth data inputted through the internalchannel at the fourth time, to the first internal bus, and outputs thefifth data to the host through the first external channel, and the firstto third times and the fourth to sixth times do not overlap with eachother.
 19. The data processing system according to claim 18, wherein thefirst memory system, in the first sole transfer mode, opens transfer ofdata from the first internal bus to the internal channel, and closestransfer of data from the internal channel to the first internal bus,and the second memory system, in the second sole transfer mode, openstransfer of data from the second internal bus to the internal channel,and closes transfer of data from the internal channel to the secondinternal bus.
 20. The data processing system according to claim 19,wherein the host, when a read or write request to the second memorysystem is not scheduled for at least a preset time from a time whenread-requesting the first and second data to the first memory system,enters the first simultaneous transfer mode, and when a read or writerequest to the first memory system is not scheduled for at least thepreset time from a time when read-requesting the fourth and fifth datato the second memory system, enters the second simultaneous transfermode.